ISLAMABAD: The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has announced the launch of a new $7.2 million nutrition and immunisation programme in Pakistan. This initiative aims to support one million mothers and children in the most marginalised areas across the four provinces.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with federal and provincial governments, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and The Power of Nutrition (TPoN).

According to a statement, Pakistan faces significant challenges in child health, including the third-highest child mortality rate and ranking third globally for the most under-vaccinated children. Nearly 1.2 million children have not received essential immunisations. The hardest-to-reach populations, with the highest concentrations of undernourished, stunted, and wasted children, also have the largest numbers of “zero-dose” children—those who have not received any vaccinations.

The $7.2 million programme aims to support seven districts where the need is particularly high including Diamer, Astore, Gilgit, Sibi, Bolan, Usta Mohammad, Thatta, and Sajawal.

The programme adopts an integrated approach to strengthen health systems to address existing gaps in routine immunisation and nutrition services and use social behaviour change communication to generate demand for immunisation and support district and national governments in monitoring and reviewing data for evidence-based decision making and learning.

Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Akhtar Iqbal,said: “the strategic and innovative partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Power of Nutrition provides us a unique opportunity to contribute to SDGs by extending an integrated package of immunisation, health and nutrition interventions for children living in some of the most marginalised districts in Pakistan. Through a close partnership with the Federal and Provincial Expanded Programme on Immunisation Directorates, and technical support of the Aga Khan Health Services and Aga Khan University, the programme will generate data, evidence and learning to fill gaps and discover what works in this under-resourced area.”

Director, High Impact Countries, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr Tokunbo Oshin said: “With funding from the Aga Khan Foundation, The Power of Nutrition, and the FCDO Matching Fund, and in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, Gavi is pleased to be able to support this innovative programme, which responds to preferences expressed by parents to be reached with a package of interventions.”

Director of Programmes and Investments, TPoN Dr. Alok Ranjan said: “We’re delighted to bring together partners Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and Aga Khan Foundation for this vital project in Pakistan.”

The programme, funded by all partners and centrally managed by TPoN, will commence later in 2024 and run through 2027.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024