Sindh inaugurates WHO-supported model vaccination centre at NICH Karachi

KARACHI: In a significant step toward strengthening immunization services in Sindh, a WHO-supported model vaccination centre was inaugurated at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, with financial and technical assistance from Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Government of Sindh.

The initiative is designed to expand access to life-saving vaccines for approximately 2.5 million people, with a particular focus on children and mothers, reinforcing Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to improve routine immunization coverage and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases.

Strengthening immunization services in Karachi

The newly established model vaccination centre at NICH is expected to serve as a key facility for improving vaccine delivery systems in one of Pakistan’s most densely populated urban regions.

According to WHO Pakistan, the goal of the initiative is: “bringing life-saving vaccines to every child and mother.”

This statement underscores the broader public health mission of ensuring equitable access to immunization services, particularly for vulnerable populations who remain at higher risk of infectious diseases.

Global partnership for public health impact

The project reflects a collaboration between international health partners and provincial authorities, combining financial assistance from Gavi, technical support from the World Health Organization, and implementation leadership from the Government of Sindh.

Such partnerships are widely recognized in global health systems as essential for strengthening immunization infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where routine vaccine coverage can face operational and logistical challenges.

Focus on maternal and child health

Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing diseases such as measles, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis, and pneumonia.

Health experts consistently emphasize that improving vaccine access for children and mothers plays a critical role in reducing preventable mortality and strengthening long-term public health outcomes.

The establishment of a dedicated model centre at NICH is expected to improve service delivery, streamline immunization processes, and enhance outreach for communities served by the facility.

Alignment with global immunization goals

The initiative aligns with broader global immunization efforts led by WHO and Gavi, which aim to ensure that all children, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic status, have access to essential vaccines.

Pakistan remains a priority country for global immunization support programs due to ongoing challenges such as population growth, urban density, and vaccine access gaps in underserved communities.

Public health significance for Pakistan

Public health specialists view such model vaccination centres as an important step toward strengthening Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) by improving service delivery infrastructure and increasing public confidence in vaccination programs.

With infectious disease prevention remaining a major healthcare priority, especially in densely populated cities like Karachi, improved vaccination coverage is considered essential for reducing outbreaks and improving long-term population health outcomes.

Conclusion

The inauguration of the WHO-supported model vaccination centre at NICH Karachi represents a collaborative effort between global health organizations and provincial authorities to strengthen Pakistan’s immunization system.

By expanding access to vaccines for millions of people, particularly mothers and children, the initiative reinforces a long-standing global health priority: ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach every eligible individual without barriers.

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