Punjab puts performance of districts under micrscope

Lahore: Punjab sets sight on achieving the elusive 100% immunisation coverage as provincial authorities, district managers, and technical experts from across the province gathered for a Comprehensive EPI review at a local hotel. 

The EPI Comprehensive Review is conducted with technical and financial support from the WHO. Director EPI Dr Aihtesham ul Haq, Additional Director of EPI, Head of Office, WHO Sub-Office Punjab Dr Jamshaid Ahmed, NPO WHO Dr Imran Qureshi, Immunisation Officer UNICEF Dr Qurat ul Ain and district officials were present. DHO-PS, DSCs, DSVs and EPI Focal Persons from districts attended the review. 

The review of 25 districts of North and Central Punjab was conducted in two batches. The review for first batch comprising Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahab, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mianwali and Rawalpindi was conducted recently

The review for Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin and Gujrat was conducted after completion after the first batch. The review of remaining 11 districts of South Punjab is scheduled on 22nd December, 2022. 

Director EPI Dr Aihtisham ul Haq said the Comprehensive EPI Review provides an opportunity for introspection and soul searching as Punjab continues to learn lessons and improve weaknesses. He said,

“Nankana Sahib, Vehari and Mandi Bahauddun remain good performers based on ranking criteria that takes into account surveillance, data quality, supportive supervision, minutes of meetings, vaccination coverage, dropouts, EMR, reporting compliance, EPI-PEI Synergy and vLMIS. Punjab with nearly 90% immunisation coverage as per TPVICS survey 2022 is leading the country’s immunization efforts. We must make best possible efforts to achieve 100% coverage. We are grateful to the WHO for their support.”  

WHO Head of Sub-Office Dr. Jamshaid Ahmed said in his address that performance reviews are integral to achieving program goals. He said, “Our team shall continue to support EPI Punjab in technical areas wherever the government needs." 

NPO WHO Dr Imran Qureshi led intensive sessions on technical areas elaborating process and methodology for the evaluation of districts. He shared that digitalization, innovation and collaboration shall be key to the successes of EPI’s new initiatives like Evening Shift Vaccination, Labour Room Birth vaccination and public private partnerships. Next the facilitators presented district performance on KPIs. Challenges and way forward discussed. Selected districts also presented their performance after the lunch break. 

 The programmatic review ended with a vote of thanks by Director Headquarter DGHS Dr Suhail Arshad Rana, to WHO for organizing the event and participants who contributed as one team to the success of EPI Program.