Because of the peculiar challenges experienced in Balochistan, in terms of the widespread geographical location of the districts, remote union councils, and security concerns, the implementation of the essential child health care packages, has always been difficult, including the targets of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

In Balochistan, EMPHNET has been supporting Pakistan in achieving increased and equitable immunization coverage through improved Routine Immunization (RI) microplanning. The approach has been to grow the knowledge and capacity of EPI staff in their ability to generate updated micro-plans.

In continuation of this support, the Department of Health Services at Baluchistan and EMPHNET are working to enable district officers to plan comprehensively for immunization services by applying suitable strategies, and to have the skills to build the frontline workers’ capacity to plan for immunization service in their catchment areas.

A training of trainers workshops were conducted in Karachi, from December 12 to 14, 2022. Thirty officers participated in the ToT workshops that were focused on topics specific to microplanning at the local management level, plans development, supply calculation, and management plan, planning for immunization sessions, and partners’ involvement, among other topics related to routine immunization activities. Other sessions focused on adult learning. 

The participants have returned to their posts to support the capacity building of frontline immunization staff in low-performing facilities, while focusing on providing vaccination in Maternal and Child Health facilities.