TP REPORT
PESHAWAR: To strengthen immunization coverage and address the problem of missed children by targeting unreached populations, vaccination teams have successfully administered essential vaccines in remote and underserved localities of Khyber district.
The teams were deployed jointly by Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), MERF (Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation) and GAVI, a global public-private health partnership.
Khyber district, with its rugged terrain and scattered settlements, has long posed logistical challenges for routine health campaigns. Many localities remain cut off from mainstream healthcare services, leaving vulnerable populations especially children and pregnant women at high risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles, polio and diphtheria, observed Dr. Junaid Team lead MERF.
The teams reached remote areas of Khyber, particularly Sheen Tang in Ali Masjid UC and successfully brought children into the immunization network through door-to-door visits and consultations with local elders.
Nestled deep in the rugged mountains of District Khyber, Sheen Tang village had long been deprived of even basic healthcare. Accessible only through rocky stream beds (nallas) and steep terrain, the village lies nearly five kilometers from the nearest health facility.
These communities in Khyber District were previously left out due to inaccessibility, weak health infrastructure, lack of transport, law and order situation and cultural barriers. The immunization rates were extremely low and most of children had never received any vaccines.
On reaching the area after several hours of walk and treking, the community’s reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Local elders warmly welcomed the health team and offered their full support.
“Our village is surrounded by mountains and the health center is very far,” said Akhtar Munir, a 38 years old farmer while expressing his gratitude.
“We used to walk on rocky paths filled with stones and water, making it impossible for women and children. Now the vaccination team comes to our homes. Our children are safe and healthy. We are very happy that the government and MERF remembered us,” Munir commented.
“Earlier, our children never received vaccines because we live so far away,” shared one elder.There is no road here only stones and stream beds. Now the vaccination team comes to our doors. We feel our children are finally protected.”
Regarding challenges faced by vaccinating team in accessing the area, Dr. Junaid shared that it included difficult terrain of five km no motorable road, cultural barriers, limited awareness, past mistrust toward health workers, history of insecurity and drug activity in the area.
The initiative attain coverage of 145% of Penta 3 by successfully covering backlog, 141% of Measles Rubella (MR1), 125 % OF BCG, 125% in resumption of early age vaccination.
Through strong community compliance reduction of 31 percent in children who missed Penta1 and 3 vaccinne was achieved besides administering of Td (Tetanus-Diphtheria) to 18 pregnant women despite sever cultural constraints.
Vaccination is now recognized as a government and community priority for child health as parents now proactively seek vaccination for their children
“Reaching Sheen Tang was not just a geographical challenge, it was a social one,” comments Dr. Mohibullah, EPI Coordinator, District Khyber.
The commitment shown by the vaccinator and outreach worker is commendable. They have turned a once-neglected community into a model of progress, he remarekd.
