Afghanistan:

Transformative Investment: Invest in a coherent planning cycle, with strategic, comprehensive, multi-year and operational annual plans outlining and coordinating strategies and activities monitored quarterly

Country of Focus – Afghanistan, the country is still suffering from complex emergency situation, geographically divided to seven regions, 34 provinces and 396 districts. The country’s health system reform was started in 2002 through strategic change of contract-out. It means Primary Health Care has been implementing through NGOs under well-defined package of Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS).

Routine immunization considered as key component of BPHS. The national EPI program is stewarding immunization service delivery and is responsible for both strategic and operational planning. There is still need to have ONE_PLAN and bring all EPI resources under the umbral of this plan, It will avoid the duplication of activities, increase the efficiency and enhance coordinated efforts to have quality service delivery to target population.

Strategies:

1. Develop and update cMYP in participatory way through engagement of all stakeholders

2. Use costing and benefit of immunization information in the cMYP for advocacy

3. Develop and budget for an operational annual EPI plan in line with cMYP and country priorities

4. Use cMYP plan as tool to increase immunization budget in total health expenditure by government

5. Plan efficient vaccination services at district level with greater emphasis on marginalized and insecure areas

6. Create and maintain a national immunization planning cycle by linking national health plans,

7. Monitor the implementation of all planned activities in order to ensure the progress

8. Ensure the lesson learned is used for re-planning exercise

My Priorities (3/7)

1. Develop and implement “ONE-PLAN” through having holistic and coordinated cMYP

2. Ensure quality and equitable coverage through efficient planning practice with greater emphasis on pro-rural and marginalized population.

3. Create and maintain a better monitoring system for tracking the progress and using lesson learned for re-planning

Why I selected my priorities:

Considering the fact, multi-partner and stakeholders are working with Ministry of Public Health to support Routine Immunization, coordination, special attention to most needy target population and having close over-see is key for ensuring efficiency and optimal service delivery.