United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Posted 04-12-2017
UNICEF has been working in Pakistan since 1948. It works for marginalized populations especially children and women with equity and gender perspective. It has been supporting the health sector in Punjab through strategic development and planning, capacity building, behaviour change communication and disaster risk reduction. Their activities are focused in the key areas of immunization, maternal & new-born health, nutrition, WASH & education. It is working across all districts of Punjab.
Key Activities of UNICEF in Health (2016-17)
Reach every district approach (RED) to improve immunization coverage implemented in seven districts. This involves integration of LHWs in EPI service delivery, social mapping, micro planning and improved supervision.
Support for construction of two EPI warehouses (Lahore & Multan).
Support to DOH in the Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus elimination.
Support in development of EPI communication strategy and technical & financial assistance in introduction of rota virus in 6 districts of province.
Support in development, launch and implementation of Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy.
Support in the scale up of Nutrition Program in 22 districts.
Provision of technical support, nutrition supplies (RUTF 75, 100), anthropometric equipment, green book and capacity building of health care practitioners.
Support in development of Infant & Young child feeding practices (IYCF) communication strategy and stunting reduction framework.
Support for conduction of Maternal & Child Health (MCH) and Breastfeeding week. Also provide support in establishment and strengthening of sick new-born care units.
Chlorhexidine cord care to prevent neonatal sepsis initiated in Attock, Gujranwala & Rajanpur.
Kangaroo Mother care initiative implementation in Services Hospitals and trainings.
Essential New-born Action Plan (ENAP) costing and trainings.
Couple health worker pilot to tackle human resource shortage in uncovered areas in three districts in southern Punjab.
Collaborative Activities through PSPU UNICEF supported PSPU in the development of the Multi Sectoral Nutrition Strategy. Support was for organizing Steering Committee Meetings, Technical Working Group Meetings, Sectoral Meetings. In addition, it provided technical support to PSPU in the form of Nutrition Coordinator.
PSPU in collaboration with UNICEF organized Donor Coordination meetings. Through this platform all development partners shared their ongoing activities in Health sector. This sharing was important to avoid duplication of activities.
PSPU in collaboration with UNICEF has been conducting various activities for promotion of Maternal and Child Health. Some of which are Pneumonia & Diarrhea Prevention, Kangaroo Mother Care Initiative and Every Newborn Action Plan.
