Peshawar, In a strategic move to uplift the health standards of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah held a meeting with a delegation from UNICEF, focusing on the integration of international health reforms within the province.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the UNICEF team was led by Radusla Rodak, the Chief of the UNICEF Peshawar Office. The meeting also saw contributions from Dr. Inaamullah, Health Specialist, Ain Khan Afridi, Nutrition Specialist, and Dr. Kamran Qureshi, Immunization Officer. Minister Shah emphasized the need for a collaborative team of health donors to ensure that health department reforms align with international benchmarks. He announced plans to convene a meeting with donors and implementing partners to discuss future health reforms and improvements within the department.

The UNICEF delegation briefed Minister Shah on the ongoing health and nutrition projects in the province, highlighting the support provided to the Health Department thus far. Notably, UNICEF’s contributions include the solarization of the Charsadda Women and Children Hospital and the establishment of a health education cell for public relations in the DG Health Office. Minister Shah expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s assistance, recognizing the essential role of such donors in achieving sustainable health solutions for the future.

Furthermore, UNICEF’s collaboration extends beyond the Department of Nutrition and includes engagements with three teaching hospitals in Peshawar, seven universities including Khyber Medical University, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, and various NGOs and UN agencies. The delegation also revealed plans to launch a school nutrition program this year and introduce a vaccine for cervical cancer by the next year, aiming to combat polio challenges and prevent cervical cancer in Pakistan, respectively.

Minister Shah’s meeting with the UNICEF delegation underscores Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s commitment to enhancing its healthcare infrastructure and services, leveraging international support to navigate the complexities of public health challenges.