The Provincial Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh has significantly stepped up its field presence to validate ongoing immunization efforts and ensure robust preparation for upcoming campaigns, including the Big Catch-Up initiative, the HPV vaccine rollout, and the Measles immunization drive.
Under the leadership of Dr Raj Kumar, Program Director EPI Sindh, and Dr Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Director EPI, provincial teams Dr Tariq Masood, GAVI FP have been conducting on-ground monitoring and supervision across various districts to support district health authorities in strengthening planning, implementation, and service delivery.
Recent field visits have covered several key districts including Matiari, Larkana, Sukkur, Thatta, Dadu, Jamshoro, Naushahro Feroze, Hyderabad, and multiple towns within Karachi. During these visits, senior officials including Dr Arslan Memon and Dr Adnan Khan joined local health staff to observe vaccination sessions at fixed sites such as BHU Lakha in District Jamshoro and BHU Odero Lal in Union Council Odero Lal, Taluka Matiari.
These visits focused on reviewing cold chain infrastructure, vaccine availability, vaccinator performance, outreach microplans, and community engagement strategies.
In District Naushahro Feroze, the team facilitated a target-setting meeting with Lady Health Supervisors (LHSs) to retrieve missed and zero-dose children through the well-established network of Lady Health Workers (LHWs). With 80% of the district covered by LHWs, the retrieval exercise is expected to be completed within two days, supporting more accurate microplanning and community mobilization for the Big Catch-Up. The intensified monitoring approach is not only validating routine immunization activities but also helping districts identify and resolve operational gaps in real time. Special focus is being placed on preparing for the HPV vaccine introduction targeting adolescent girls, a sensitive and critical age group requiring tailored communication and service strategies.
The EPI Sindh team’s field presence underscores a strong commitment to ensuring no child is left behind and that the upcoming campaigns are executed with high quality, accountability, and community trust.