WHO and BISP Forge Partnership to Enhance Child Immunization and Health Services in Pakistan
In a significant development aimed at bolstering public health initiatives in Pakistan, Dr Luo Dapeng, the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), held a pivotal meeting with Senator Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), at the BISP Headquarters in Peshawar on Wednesday. The discussions centered on forging a robust collaboration between WHO and BISP to address critical health challenges, with a primary focus on improving child immunization rates and maternal health outcomes across the nation.
Key Discussions on Immunization and Health Awareness
The meeting delved into several key areas of potential cooperation. A major proposal under consideration is the integration of child immunization as a mandatory requirement during the beneficiary registration process for BISP. This initiative aims to leverage the extensive reach of BISP to ensure that more children receive essential vaccines, thereby enhancing overall public health security. Additionally, the talks emphasized the importance of raising awareness and providing counselling to BISP beneficiaries on maternal and child health issues, which are crucial for reducing mortality rates and improving family well-being.
Skill Development and Training Initiatives
Beyond immunization, the collaboration explored opportunities for skill development under the Benazir Hunarmand Programme. This includes training beneficiaries and their family members in health-related fields, such as nursing and community health work, to create sustainable employment opportunities and strengthen the healthcare workforce. Senator Rubina Khalid underscored the necessity of training doctors and lady health workers to ensure timely referrals of critical cases to BNP facilitation centers, highlighting BISP's commitment to holistic health support.
Commitment to Coordination and Implementation
Dr Luo Dapeng expressed WHO's full cooperation in these endeavors and stressed the need for a coordinated approach. He advocated for involving provincial governments in the planning process, developing an integrated and actionable strategy, and holding regular coordination meetings to monitor progress. The presence of DG NSER/CCT BISP Dr Asim Ijaz at the meeting further underscored the importance of this partnership in achieving tangible health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Pakistan.
