Consultative Workshop on Expanded Immunization Programme Concludes

Kassala – Sudanhorizon

The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), concluded the consultative workshop on Thursday at the Raih Al-Turifi Hall in Kassala. The workshop focused on updating the communication strategy for the Expanded Immunization Program.

Dr. Nada Jaafar, Senior Technical Specialist at EMPHNET, stated in a press release that the discussions during the two-day workshop were rich and based on the program’s available data. She noted that the proposed update was developed by a health promotion expert, with valuable contributions from national experts in immunization and health promotion, as well as partners from WHO and UNICEF. These inputs helped complete the scientific background and establish goals and focal areas for the strategy to support and advocate for the immunization program and increase awareness.

Jaafar highlighted that the strategy also emphasizes boosting vaccinations beyond the first year of children’s lives. She asserted that this strategy would serve as a comprehensive document for all communication, awareness, and behaviour-change interventions related to vaccination uptake, epidemic prevention, and reducing morbidity from target diseases. Additionally, it includes a focus on communication with conflict-affected citizens and displaced persons, who are among the most in need, alongside cooperation and coordination among partners for strategy implementation.

The coordinator expressed hope that the program will receive support for the next three years, leading to a reduction in illness and mortality rates among citizens.

Nasser Jabara, representing the Expanded Immunization Program, emphasized the importance of developing and updating the program’s communication strategy to reach targeted children and age groups and enhance health services in coordination with the Health Promotion Directorate. He pointed out that communication needs to adopt adaptive strategies given Sudan’s overall challenges, aiming to meet immunization goals. He acknowledged the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network for its continuous support, as the network funded the workshop.