Meeting Discuss Reforms, Immunization Strategies

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jul, 2025) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali on Tuesday chaired a high level meeting to assess progress on health department’s strategic roadmap and ongoing reform initiatives.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Shahidullah Khan, Special Secretaries Sharif Hussain and Habibullah, Director General Health Dr Saleem Khan, Director General of Public Health Services academy Dr Abdul Waheed, Additional Director Generals, Program Directors and other senior officials.

During the session, participants reviewed progress made on key targets assigned to various units within the department. A significant point of discussion was the finalization of the Medicine Coordination Committee (MCC) list.

It was noted that delays in uploading the advertised documents to the EPADS system are causing implementation setbacks. Furthermore, although the Standard Medicine List has been updated, its formal notification is still pending.

The meeting also included a briefing on the KP Immunization Strategy 2025–2030. Officials informed that the strategy has received administrative approval from the Secretary Health.

Under this plan, targeted implementation strategies will be developed for low-performing union councils to strengthen vaccination outreach.

It was further shared that integrated evening outreach vaccination services will soon be launched in 62 union councils of Peshawar, allowing immunization to take place during evening hours to improve access and coverage.

Simultaneously, work is underway to activate evening or 24/7 vaccination services at District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) and major healthcare facilities. These efforts aim to enhance coverage of both birth-dose and routine immunization services across the province.

The meeting was also informed that the assessment of existing infrastructure at DHQ hospitals in 10 settled districts has been completed for the establishment of Newborn Care Units. Program Director Dr Faisal Shehzad personally conducted on-site assessments at each DHQ hospital.

The meeting underscored the importance of adopting a coordinated strategy to fast-track health sector reforms and improve overall service delivery for the people of KP.