Community Health Directorate

21/04/2026

As the Community Health Directorate (CHD) prepares for the upcoming thought leadership webinar, Reflecting on Pakistan’s HPV Launch and the Path to National Scale-up, we are pleased to introduce our distinguished speakers from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — Ms. Emily Kobayashi, Head HPV Vaccines Program, and Mr. Craig Beyerinck, Programme Manager.

Ms. Emily Kobayashi will offer a global perspective on the remarkable expansion of the HPV vaccine network, with Pakistan proudly becoming the 151st country to introduce the vaccine.

Mr. Craig Beyerinck will speak to the realities of HPV rollout on the ground, particularly navigating misinformation, gender sensitivities, and building community trust and the lessons that are now shaping how Gavi approaches future rollouts in Pakistan

Join us as we connect global momentum with local experience and explore the path forward for sustainable, nationwide cervical cancer prevention in Pakistan.

🗓️ Date: April 29, 2026
🕒 Time: 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM PKT
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dQCuWPZA

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | MannionDaniels| Oxford Policy Management | Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) | The Expanded Programme on Immunization - Pakistan | Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh | Indus Hospital & Health Network

20/04/2026

On April 18, 2026, IHHN’s Community Health Directorate (CHD) reached a new milestone with the formal inauguration of Ultrasound services at the Tassaduq Hussain & Mukhtar Begum Community Health Center in Kot Addu.

We were honored to host Mr. Bilal Saleem, DCO Kot Addu, as the Chief Guest. Mr. Saleem performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and reviewed the clinic's operational workflow. In his remarks, he commended the integration of Mental Health services and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) within the primary care setting.

Key highlights:

🔹 Comprehensive facility walkthrough and staff interaction.
🔹 Presentation on OPD volumes and diagnostic capabilities.
🔹 Advocacy for local infrastructure, resulting in a commitment from the DCO to complete the access road leading to the center.

Expansion of diagnostic services is critical to our mission of providing free-of-cost, high-quality care to underserved populations.

20/04/2026

As we approach World Malaria Day, we reflect on this year’s theme: Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.

At the Community Health Directorate (CHD) of Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), it’s a commitment we’ve upheld since 2016. For nearly a decade, we have been working to make our communities stronger and protected from this preventable disease.

A powerful example of this mission is the story of Adeela and Shahryar, two orphaned siblings in District DI Khan. When malaria struck, their local Lady Health Worker, Ruqaiya, trained under our integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) program, became their lifeline. By bringing diagnosis and treatment directly to their doorstep, she ensured these children didn't just survive, but returned to school and play.

Through our partnership with Frontier Primary Health Care and the Health Department, KP, we're reaching the most vulnerable and ensuring no child is left behind.

18/04/2026

Safe and dignified childbirth should be a fundamental right, not a matter of geography. Through 29 specialized sites, the Community Health Directorate (CHD) of Indus Hospital & Health Network is bringing life-saving maternal care to the heart of underserved communities, from the coastal villages of Baba Island to the border towns of Nok Kundi.

In 2025, our midwives managed over 4,800 safe deliveries and conducted more than 151,000 antenatal visits, ensuring that mothers and newborns receive expert care even in the most hard-to-reach areas.

Innovation and Training:
✅ Telehealth in Haripur: Connecting rural health centers with specialists for real-time guidance during emergencies.
✅ Competency-Based Training: Rigorous 3-phase training at ICoNM to equip midwives with the skills to manage high-pressure clinical scenarios.
✅ Holistic Support: Integrating mental health and nutrition to support the long-term well-being of families.

By empowering midwives, we are transforming fear into hope for thousands of families.

📖 Learn more about how we are bridging the healthcare gap:

Author: Minail Saif Ullah, Communication Officer, Community Health Directorate Pakistan continues to face a significant burden of maternal and newborn mortality, particularly within underserved rural and peri-urban communities. While traditional tertiary hospitals provide essential specialized care,

17/04/2026

We invite you to hear from the leadership driving Pakistan’s newest immunization milestones. Join Dr. Mah Talat, Executive Director of the Community Health Directorate (CHD), for an insightful webinar on the recent launch of the HPV vaccine.

Dr. Talat will discuss the strategies used to build community trust and overcome cultural and social barriers during the HPV rollout. The session explores how localized engagement and school-based initiatives are helping turn this landmark launch into a sustainable national program to protect the next generation

Webinar Details:
✅ Topic: Reflecting on Pakistan’s HPV Launch and the Path to National Scale-up
📅 Date: April 29, 2026
🕒 Time: 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM PKT

Register now to secure your spot for this strategic dialogue.
🔗 Link to Register: https://forms.gle/m9EFzvLMKtQXDeKZ9

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | MannionDaniels | Oxford Policy Management | Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) | The Expanded Programme on Immunization - Pakistan | Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh | Indus Hospital & Health Network

17/04/2026

Transforming Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) in Balochistan: How We Train the Hands That Hold the Future

In the border districts of Chagai and Chaman, maternal mortality remains a critical challenge. Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), with the support of PATRIP – International Rescue Committee, we have organized a 3-month competency-Based Training of Community midwives (CMWs) at Indus College of Nursing & Midwifery (ICONM, KARACHI).

We are proud to share the progress of our first ongoing batch, where 14 CMWs are undergoing a rigorous, three-step implementation model designed to turn theory into life-saving action.

Our training follows a structured, "learning-by-doing" approach aligned with Pakistan Nursing Council standards:
🔹Phase 1: Theoretical Foundation - Participants master modules ranging from the Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health and reproductive health.
🔹Phase 2: The Midwifery Skills Lab - Before entering a hospital, midwives practice comprehensive obstetric and neonatal clinical skills on high-fidelity mannequins. Tutors demonstrate clinical procedures, followed by intensive hands-on practice where every participant must prove their skill using a standardized competency checklist.
🔹Phase 3: Clinical Practice & Real-Life Scenarios - Transitioning to clinical sites, our midwives work on real-life cases under the watchful eye of a facilitator. Using detailed logbooks and evaluation checklists, they document their work and receive real-time feedback.

This initiative builds clinical confidence and composure in midwives, preparing them to handle life-threatening complications through high-pressure simulations. By investing in these professionals, the program secures a sustainable healthcare legacy that empowers entire communities and ensures safer outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Better skills. Brighter futures. Safer births.

16/04/2026

Health and nutrition support at the grassroots level requires a holistic approach that prioritizes the bond between child and caregiver. At THQ Muslim Bagh, our staff member Noorinisa recently worked with five-month-old Khadija and her mother, Raghdia, to navigate a critical transition in their health journey.

With Khadija weighing 4.8 kg, measuring 68 cm, and recording a Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of 11.5 cm, our team identified a vital opportunity to strengthen her nutritional intake. Our specialized counseling focused on a successful shift from formula milk back to exclusive breastfeeding, ensuring Khadija receives the life-saving antibodies and optimal nutrition that only breast milk can provide.

However, physical measurements are only one part of the story. During the session, we identified that Raghdia’s mental health was at a moderate status. Because emotional well-being is a cornerstone of effective caregiving, we integrated supportive counseling to build her confidence and resilience alongside nutritional guidance.

The success of these interventions relies on the active participation of caregivers. Raghdia’s commitment to these practices—especially the move back to breastfeeding—is a vital step toward Khadija's healthy development. This impactful work is carried out by Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) with the generous support of ACF.

Under the Multisectoral Integrated Assistance to Vulnerable Populations of Balochistan project, implemented jointly by IHHN and Action Against Hunger (ACF), our teams are working tirelessly to provide comprehensive health, nutrition, and psychosocial support to the most vulnerable families in the province.

Together, we are ensuring that health reaches every corner, supporting one family at a time.

16/04/2026

As part of , the Community Health Directorate (CHD) of The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is proud to introduce one of our distinguished panelists for the upcoming thought leadership webinar on Pakistan’s landmark HPV vaccine introduction.

We are honored to welcome Ms. Huma Khawar, Strategic Advisor at MannionDaniels, whose work has been instrumental in strengthening immunization systems and advancing equitable vaccine access across diverse contexts.

With deep expertise in health systems strengthening, donor coordination, and large-scale program design, Ms. Khawar brings a strategic lens to the nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 9–14. Her experience is particularly valuable as Pakistan translates field-level implementation into a sustainable, scalable national framework.

Through the collaborative partnership between Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, MannionDaniels, Oxford Policy Management, the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), provincial EPI teams, the Health and Population Welfare Department Sindh, and The Indus Hospital & Health Network, this initiative has demonstrated how strategic planning and community-centered delivery can reach the most vulnerable, especially out-of-school girls.

Join us as Ms. Khawar and fellow experts distill practical lessons from implementation that will help shape a blueprint for future provincial scale-up.

🗓️ April 29, 2026
🕒 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM PKT
🔗 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8g6BXepuv7SB5xhwwtc-M45TMmIjykGEe8uD8Jwy8yYOR3A/viewform?fbclid=IwVERDUARJvCdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR47omH-P0b5IT6erhhCOBnA-nvKWDyfIojYL0a2Gt-SBl-SJGnFrT9-vNQ0VA_aem_mz00l7qv9WlXWaN3v1V-KA

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | MannionDaniels | Oxford Policy Management | The Expanded Programme on Immunization - Pakistan | Indus Hospital & Health Network | Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh

15/04/2026

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, but it is preventable. In anticipation of World Immunization Week 2026, the Community Health Directorate (CHD) of IHHN invites you to join a high-level webinar reflecting on the successful launch of the HPV vaccine in Pakistan.

Register today and join the conversation on how we are safeguarding the health of the next generation.
🗓️ Date: April 29, 2026
🕒 Time: 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM PKT
🔗 Register now: https://forms.gle/f4ttUEyE6gEvUHpn7

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | MannionDaniels | Oxford Policy Management | Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) | The Expanded Programme on Immunization - Pakistan | Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh | Indus Hospital & Health Network

15/04/2026

A mother’s health is the foundation of a stable family and a resilient community. When a mother remains healthy, the entire household remains secure. In many regions, the difficulty of reaching a hospital is a major challenge, but the lack of timely information often poses an even greater risk to a mother’s life. To address this, the Community Engagement Center (CEC) of the CHD recently held 137 awareness sessions across 24 Primary Care sites in Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh.

By reaching 1,768 participants, including 731 men and 1,037 women, this initiative ensures that the responsibility of maternal health is shared by the entire family. These sessions provided practical knowledge to help families navigate the journey of pregnancy and childbirth:
🔹 Registering for antenatal care early and completing at least 4 ANC checkups.
🔹 Understanding why a skilled birth attendant is essential for a safe delivery.
🔹 Identifying pregnancy danger signs to seek medical help without delay.
🔹 Maintaining proper nutrition and preventing anemia to keep the mother and baby strong.
🔹 Prioritizing postnatal care and early breastfeeding for the child’s survival.
🔹 Utilizing family planning and birth spacing to protect the mother’s long-term health.

By providing families with these essential facts, the CHD is helping to prevent avoidable tragedies and build a healthier future for Pakistan.

14/04/2026

Pakistan has reached a historic turning point in public health with the large-scale introduction of the HPV vaccine. To ensure every 9-year-old girl is protected from cervical cancer, the Community Health Directorate (CHD) of IHHN supported the government's rollout across nine underserved districts in Sindh, from Larkana to Keamari.

Reaching the last mile required more than just service delivery; it required building deep community trust. Our teams used a hybrid model to reach both in-school and out-of-school girls, ensuring that geography and social barriers did not stand in the way of life-saving protection.

We invite you to this high-level reflection point as we share field-tested lessons to safeguard the health of our daughters.

🗓️ Wednesday, April 29, 2026
🕒 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM PKT
🔗 Sign up now: https://forms.gle/EykqvM5Pu6B7uXjKA

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance | MannionDaniels | Oxford Policy Management |Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) | The Expanded Programme on Immunization - Pakistan | Health & Population Welfare Department, Sindh | Indus Hospital & Health Network

14/04/2026

Following the Pre-ICON Workshop held in February 2026, the Lung Health Program under the Community Health Directorate (CHD) conducted a follow-up survey showing how frontline healthcare providers are translating training into real-world impact.

The results are promising:
✅ 100% of participants are now applying brief to***co cessation interventions
✅ 2 out of 3 providers feel confident delivering cessation support
✅ 7 out of 9 have already helped patients set quit dates
✅ Each provider has counselled 1–5 patients so far

While progress is encouraging, challenges such as patient resistance and limited consultation time remain, highlighting the need for stronger follow-up systems.

The Lung Health Program continues to focus on scaling training across cadres, embedding cessation into routine care, and addressing emerging ni****ne products like vapes and ni****ne pouches.

Small, practical interventions are driving meaningful change, helping more patients take the first step toward a to***co-free life.