Pakistan

سلام

We build resilient, equitable health systems by advancing immunization, health security, one health, and digital innovations.

Selected Achievements

  • Jhpiego partnered with the Federal Directorate of Immunization, Gavi, Gates Foundation, provincial health departments, World Health Organization and UNICEF to roll out Pakistan’s first-ever HPV vaccination program.

  • With support from Gavi, Jhpiego reached more than 15,800 patients in four flood-affected districts of Pakistan through 452 integrated medical camps, conducting mental health screenings for more than 2,500 individuals.

  • Jhpiego provided 6,293 antenatal and postnatal consultations and 3,794 immunizations after the 2022 floods in Sindh.

  • Jhpiego solarized 27 Expanded Programme on Immunization facilities, upgraded 20 maternal and child health units, and distributed 100,000 Expanded Programme on Immunization cards.

Current Projects

Transforming Family Planning Services

Jhpiego introduced DMPA-SC as a self-injection in Punjab, Pakistan for the first time, piloting it in Kasur and Khanewal. Through a cohort study, women were trained and empowered to self-administer the contraceptive, enhancing autonomy, privacy, and access, especially for rural and underserved communities. The pilot’s strong continuation rates and client satisfaction have informed a provincial scale-up strategy.

  • Over 500 health workers in each district were trained to counsel and support clients in self-injection during the pilot phase.

  • Master trainers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery were trained for trickle-down capacity building.

  • Jhpiego developed targeted materials to address myths and integrate self-care into routine family planning services, reaching underserved and rural women.

  • Jhpiego institutionalized DMPA-SC self-injection training within the Population Welfare Department’s official modules.

Enhancing Global Health Security

This initiative strengthens Pakistan’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats using a One Health approach. The project supports the National Action Plan for Health Security and cross-sectoral coordination.

  • Jhpiego trained over 600 lab professionals in biosafety, biosecurity, molecular diagnostics, and quality management, resulting in a 28% improvement in lab performance scores.

  • Jhpiego established Pakistan’s first national infection prevention and control program and surveillance system for health care-associated infections, resulting in 30–40% improvement in infection prevention and control compliance in ten model hospitals.

  • Jhpiego trained more than 250 rapid response team members, 24 emergency operations center staff, and 18 master trainers in risk communication and community engagement.

  • In flood-affected districts, Jhpiego enhanced disease surveillance across 95 health facilities and improved data flow for rapid outbreak detection. Border Health Services were also strengthened at key seaports, airports, and land crossings.

Early detection and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage

Implemented with the University of Birmingham, this project uses the World Health Organization's E-MOTIVE First Response bundle to detect and treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and standardizes protocols to improve maternal survival.

  • Jhpiego piloted this project in five facilities in Karachi.

  • We trained health workers on how to detect signs of PPH early.

  • Jhpiego ensures availability of essential supplies and checklists.

  • We promote integration of PPH detection into routine maternity care practices.

Male Engagement for Improved Immunization and Health Equity

Jhpiego engages men as clients, partners, and champions to improve childhood immunization and gender equity. Moving beyond seeing them as bystanders, the program positions them as clients of care, supportive partners, and champions for change.

  • In partnership with Gavi, Jhpiego’s Men’s Engagement initiative is being implemented in the districts of Quetta in Balochistan and Karachi East in Sindh province, and redefining the role of men and boys in health.

  • This project promotes active fatherhood, caregiving, and allyship in ending gender-based violence. By linking a behavioral shift with improved childhood immunization uptake, the initiative is creating healthier households and more equitable communities.

  • Jhpiego developed information, education, and communication materials on immunization as well as how to challenge and change harmful gender norms and power dynamics to achieve health equity for both household visits and group discussions.

  • Jhpiego developed a discussion group guide named RAHBAR. Adapted from the evidence-based Bandebereho curriculum, it incorporates local preferences, availability, and cultural norms.

  • Through evidence-based community engagement sessions and working with local champions, men are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health, support their partners’ reproductive and sexual health, and challenge harmful gender norms that limit access to care.

Reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity

The Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) project incorporates both basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care to save lives, strengthen health systems, promote equity, and achieve national and global health goals.

  • Jhpiego, with the support of UNFPA, is implementing the project in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Punjab, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

  • Basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care are core pillars of any safe motherhood and newborn survival strategy, so Jhpiego is training health workers on these approaches as well as postpartum family planning, post-abortion care, referrals, and family planning counseling.

  • Jhpiego is implementing on-the-job training on infection prevention and control for health facility staff.

  • Jhpiego focuses on supportive supervision and mentorship for quality improvement, infection prevention and control, and data recording and reporting.

Accelerating the HPV Vaccine

The HPV Vaccine Acceleration Program Partners Initiative (HAPPI) is a global initiative to accelerate HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention, implemented in collaboration with national and provincial stakeholders, and in alignment with national immunization strategies.

  • HAPPI supports girls between the ages of 9 and 14 and underserved communities through vaccination awareness campaigns, gender-sensitive approaches, and community mobilization to address myths and misconceptions.

  • The program addresses coverage gaps through innovation and advocacy, conducting community mobilization and myth-busting campaigns.

  • Jhpiego trains vaccinators and educators on HPV counseling.

Building Resilient Immunization Systems

The Technical Assistance to Pakistan EPI – COVID-19 Lessons Learned (COVAX CDS-III) project captures COVID-19 immunization lessons and integrates them into routine immunization systems for improved resilience. It engages national and provincial stakeholders for sustainability.

  • Jhpiego conducts interviews and focus group discussions with policymakers and implementers to gather their insights.

  • Jhpiego identifies and documents best practices in pandemic response, developing practical recommendations to improve regular vaccination efforts and creating plans to be better prepared for future health emergencies.

Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control

Jhpiego supports the Government of Pakistan in implementing a national infection prevention and control program to reduce health care-associated infections.

  • This project strengthens laboratory and facility-level infection prevention and control systems by developing national infection prevention and control guidelines and training packages, training health workers in 10 hospitals, establishing infection prevention and control monitoring systems, and supporting outbreak investigation and containment.

Improving Prenatal Care

Jhpiego is piloting Group Antenatal Care (ANC) in Sindh to improve ANC retention and quality.

  • As part of a Gates Foundation initiative, Jhpiego uses a model that combines clinical care, education, and peer support for groups of pregnant women of similar gestational age for shared care.

  • Components of the initiative include promoting self-assessment and peer learning, improving client satisfaction and engagement, and generating evidence for potential scale-up.

Country Director

Dr. Aminah Khan

Country Director, Pakistan

Video Highlights

Integrated Immunization for Children in Flood-Affected Sindh

Jhpiego Pakistan Podcast, Episode 1: Family Planning – Myths, Methods & Informed Choices

Pakistan's Journey to Better Maternal Health: Group Antenatal Care in Sindh

Think Now, Act Now: Cervical Cancer Awareness LinkedIn Live Session

Strengthening Health Systems Through Social Protection

"Since 1997, Jhpiego Pakistan has walked alongside governments, partners, and communities to strengthen health systems, crafting practical, cost-effective solutions that bring quality care closer to those who need it most."
— Dr. Aminah Khan, Pakistan Country Director