EPI prepares financial stability plan, says Nasir
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan on Thursday said federal Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) Cell has prepared a financial stability plan till 2013.
Chairing a meeting of the National Inter-agency Coordination Committee (NICC), he reiterated the government’s committment to protect the health of the children.
“EPI being a programme primarily for the children and their mothers has always been very close to the heart of the present government,” Nasir Khan said.
Global Alliance for Vaccination (GAVI) - an alliance of private and public institutions and World Bank - is supporting the EPI and by July this year had given $ 89.294 million.
The EPI services in the country are provided through a network of nearly 3200 EPI and 9,000 vaccinators.
“The government will make all efforts to provide maximum possible support to the programme,” the minister said.
He said the utilization of the GAVI funds by the provinces is encouraging but urged the provincial leadership that they must make efforts to ensure that 100 percent of the grant is utilized timely.
He said the government is making all out efforts to ensure the crippling disease of polio is eradicated from Pakistan within shortest possible time.
The minister expressed his gratitude for the support of all stakeholders in EPI and said polio eradication has been “excellent.”
“We look forward to strengthen routine immunization in the country and give polio a final push.”
Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mehmood said NICC has successfully collaborated with government and EPI partners and played a pivotal role in improving immunization coverage.
“EPI is one of the most cost effective public health programmes and the government has always ensured maximum support for it,” Anwar Mehmood said.
Financial Stability Plan for EPI, he added, gives a clear road map of its requirements, commitments and funding gaps for the next eight years.
After the meeting, Muhammad Nasir Khan inaugurated a public health laboratory for PIMS Satellite Hospital at the National Institute of Health.