KARACHI: Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated the province’s first facility to provide immunisation services round the clock here at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) on Tuesday.
The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Model Centre has been launched with the support of several development partners, including the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Speaking at the event, the health minister appreciated the collective efforts in establishing a facility that will provide immunisation services and improve access for working families and underserved communities.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines on time and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunised children across Sindh.
Health minister also inaugurates Child-Friendly Medico-Legal Clinic at CHK
The newly established EPI Model Centre will provide immunisation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The centre will vaccinate children for routine immunisation, defaulter children, and zero-dose children, while also providing HPV vaccination services for eligible girls and tetanus and diphtheria vaccination for eligible women.
In addition, the centre incorporates vaccine-preventable disease surveillance, Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) monitoring and response mechanisms, strengthened cold chain management, quality recording and reporting systems, and community education and counselling services.
She also spoke about the continued government partnership with WHO, Unicef, Gavi, and other development partners in strengthening maternal and child health services. “Investing in nutrition and immunisation is essential for improving child survival and achieving better health outcomes across the province,” she said.
Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted the importance of linking social protection with health and nutrition services, noting that the Benazir Nashonuma Programme was contributing to the prevention of child malnutrition through conditional cash transfers, nutrition awareness, and improved access to health services, while nutrition stabilisation centres provide critical treatment and care for children requiring specialised support.
In his remarks, Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Pakistan, reaffirmed the health organisation’s commitment to supporting the government of Sindh in strengthening integrated nutrition and immunisation services. He noted that both facilities represent important investments in the health and well-being of children and contribute to achieving Millennium Development Goals related to child health, nutrition and universal health coverage.
Child-Friendly Medico-Legal Clinic
The Sindh government has established a Child-Friendly Medico-Legal Clinic (CFMC) at the Police Surgeon’s Office, Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), to provide comprehensive support to child victims of sexual and physical violence. The facility was inaugurated by Health Minister Pechuho on Tuesday.
The clinic, developed with support from Unicef, UK Aid and Awaz-II, offers medical examinations, psychological counselling and access to shelter services in a child-friendly environment. Officials said it is among the first facilities of its kind in Sindh, with another centre planned for Mithi.
Dr Pechuho said special measures would be introduced to ensure child victims are examined by female paediatricians to create a more comfortable and supportive atmosphere.
Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed said the clinic was established under the Sindh Medico-Legal Act 2023 and follows a holistic approach. Alongside medical care, children will receive counselling and referrals to protection and shelter services where required.
Officials said the aim is to support recovery and successful reintegration into society. Plans are also underway to establish one-stop protection centres in 12 districts across Sindh.
Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026
