PESHAWAR, Feb 27 (APP): A mid-term review workshop on immunization in remote and hard to reach Upper Kohistan district marked a significant milestone in reinforcing participant’s commitment to forward planning, sustainability and continuity of community engagement to achieve comprehensive coverage among target population.
The workshop was organized by HUJRA Village Support Organization (HUJRA), an organization dedicated to social and economic well-being of individuals and communities, under its ongoing immunization support project in Upper Kohistan.
Coordinator Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) KP, Shafiullah Khan chaired the session which brought together senior officials including Director EPI KP, Dr. Mehtab Khan and representatives of provincial and district health departments.
“The immunization efforts in Kohistan district is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and implemented in collaboration with Mannion Daniels and Oxford Policy Management (OPM),” said Saleem Ahmad, CEO HUJRA in his welcome address.
Primary objective of the workshop was to review project progress, identify implementation gaps, and streamline strategic actions to further strengthen routine immunization services in Upper Kohistan, he added.
During the technical presentation, project’s goals and key interventions were outlined, apprising the participants that across 15 union councils in Upper Kohistan around 10 vaccinators have been deployed along with four community mobilizers to enhance both service delivery and demand generation.
For demand generation religious scholars (Ulema), teachers, parents, caregivers, elected representatives, health staff, and community resource persons have been actively engaged to address vaccine hesitancy and improve awareness.
The initiative has demonstrated measurable positive behavioral change within communities with a significant decline in vaccine refusal cases as previously hesitant families have been successfully counseled and convinced, the meeting was told.
Through strengthened outreach services in geographically challenging and high-altitude terrains, the project has improved access to routine immunization in underserved and remote populations.
Saleem Ahmad acknowledged that difficult terrain and scattered settlements remain key operational challenges, however, strong collaboration and guidance from the Provincial and District Health Departments have been instrumental in overcoming these barriers.
The organization expressed sincere appreciation for the continued technical and administrative support provided by the health authorities.
Speaking on the occasion, Coordinator EOC, Shafiullah Khan emphasized importance of focusing on measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), particularly comparative immunization coverage data from the pre-project baseline to the current status, to clearly demonstrate impact.
In his remarks, the Director EPI, Dr. Mehtab Khan extended full support and reiterated the Department’s commitment to sustaining immunization gains.
The workshop concluded with a shield distribution ceremony, where commemorative shields were presented to distinguished participants.