The UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) on Monday handed over seven mobile vehicles to the Federal Directorate of Immunization to enhance outreach immunization services.
In a move to enhance immunization efforts across Pakistan, a formal ceremony for the handover of seven 4×4 vehicles took place here at the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI).
‘These UNICEF’s provision of 4×4 vehicles will help overcome accessibility challenges in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring quality immunization services in remote regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir’, said Special Secretary Health, Mirza Nasir Ud Din Mashhood Ahmad.
He said vaccination of children is one of the top priority agenda of Prime Minister of Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to UNICEF and GAVI for their vital role in supporting the procurement of vehicles and enhancing immunization outreach.
The Special Secretary Health encouraged donors and partners, GAVI and UNICEF, to maintain momentum and explore new strategies for further improving immunization coverage.
During the opening remarks, Dr Shabana Saleem, Director General of Health/FDI, emphasized the importance of ensuring vaccines reach every child, no matter how remote their location.
She expressed her gratitude to the UNICEF for their unwavering support, stating, ‘These vehicles will strengthen our outreach capacity and help ensure that every child has equitable access to life-saving vaccines,’ she added.
Dr Shabana Saleem stated that the Government of Pakistan firmly believes that where children remain unvaccinated, both their lives and the health of their communities are at risk.
She said this is why the FDI is relentlessly working to vaccinate every child against the 12 targeted vaccine-preventable diseases, ensuring that no community, however remote or challenging, is left behind.
Dr Gunter Boussery, Chief of Health, OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) Deputy Representative, UNICEF stated that, ‘We are honored to contribute to this collective effort to serve Pakistan’s underserved communities’.
‘With the support of GAVI, the government, and our partners, we are committed to building a healthier, fully immunized Pakistan’ highlights UNICEF’s commitment to enhancing immunization services across Pakistan’, Dr Gunter Boussery said.
According to an official statement, seven newly procured Toyota Hilux single-cabin vehicles will bolster EPI (Expanded Programme of Immunization) outreach in underserved and remote union councils across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
These mobile clinics will deliver essential immunization services, guaranteeing equitable access for all communities.