Sindh EPI enhances outreach with motorbikes and post-vaccination care initiative

Sindh strengthens immunisation infrastructure with WHO-backed mobility push and government-funded post-vaccination care

IV Report

KARACHI: In a bid to improve the efficiency of vaccinators working in remote and hard-to-reach areas, the Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) began distributing motorbikes to vaccinators at an event held on May 16, attended by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

According to an official handout, 300 motorbikes are being distributed among vaccinators in 21 selected districts to improve access to underserved communities. These vehicles are in addition to the 55 scooters previously provided to female vaccinators by the EPI. The mobility initiative has been financially supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the handout added.

During the same event, the health minister also launched a new paracetamol drops distribution scheme for families bringing their children for routine immunisation at designated vaccination centers across the province. The initiative, funded by the Sindh government, aims to provide post-vaccination fever treatment for children.

The districts receiving the motorbikes include Karachi’s Korangi, West, East, Malir, Kemari, Central, and South districts, as well as Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Dadu, Badin, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Shikarpur, Kambar, and Kashmore.

The distribution ceremony, held at the Provincial EPI Office in Karachi, was attended by Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch, WHO Sindh Sub-Office Head Dr Mukhtiar Bhayo, senior EPI officials, and district health officers from Karachi Division, among others.

EPI Programme Director Dr Raj Kumar emphasised that reaching every child in remote and underserved areas remains a top priority for EPI Sindh. Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch said the induction of motorbikes would significantly strengthen outreach efforts in low-coverage areas.

“These bikes will help vaccinators reach far-flung communities and conduct routine outreach sessions effectively,” noted Minister Azra Pechuho, while also thanking WHO for its generous support in providing the motorbikes for priority districts.

Earlier, Additional Director EPI Dr Sohail Raza Shaikh announced the rollout of paracetamol drops for families visiting vaccination centers. “This initiative addresses caregivers’ concerns about post-vaccination fever and is expected to reduce dropouts from the routine immunisation schedule,” he added.

Photos courtesy: EPI,Sindh

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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