A two-day progress review meeting of Gates Foundation-funded immunization projects in Balochistan conducted on Monday to assess programme progress, address implementation challenges and strengthen vaccination services across the province. The meeting reviewed key achievements, field-level challenges and future strategies for improving routine immunization and vaccination coverage. Secretary Health Balochistan Mujeeb ur Rehman, National Coordinator for Polio Anwar-ul-Haq, EOC Coordinator Balochistan Inam-ul-Haq and EPI Coordinator Balochistan Dr Aftab Kakar participated in the meeting.

Michael Galway, Deputy Director, Gates Foundation for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Brigadier Abu Al Hassan, Altaf Bosan and Dr Rana Safdar, Senior Advisor for Polio CDC, also attended besides representatives of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO, Aga Khan University and other development and implementing partners. The participants reviewed progress of Gates Foundation-supported projects, vaccination coverage, programme coordination and operational challenges affecting immunization activities across the province.

The meeting also discussed measures to strengthen routine immunization, improve programme implementation and enhance efforts to reach children in underserved and high-risk areas. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening immunization services in Balochistan and ensuring that every child is reached with life-saving vaccines. The review is expected to help identify priority areas and formulate coordinated measures for sustaining progress in immunization and polio eradication efforts across the province.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)