The Government of KP through KP health department and KP Heath Foundation has taken the initiative of Health System Strengthening (HSS) by engaging private sector organization on public private partnership basis in NMDs. In this regard, five hospitals in District Orakzai, Kurram, Mohmand and South Waziristan has been outsourced to MERF with responsibility of operationalization, management and provision of secondary health services to the general public. The hospitals include:
1. DHQ Mishti Mela, Orakzai – Awarded in 2017
2. Cat. D Hospital, Ghiljo, Orakzai – Awarded in 2020
3. Cat D Hospital, Dogar, Kurram– Awarded in 2020
4. Cat D Hospital, Momad Gat, Mohmand – Awarded in 2020
5. Cat D Hospital, Mola Khan Sarai, South Waziristan – Awarded in 2020
MERF has made all the hospitals fully functional and providing free of cost services including general and specialized OPD services, IPD services (Surgical, Medical, Pediatrics, Gynecology & Eye), A&E Services, OT services, Labor rooms, Diagnostic services, pharmacy and EPI services.
Under ECHO funding for COVID-19 Emergency Response, MERF in collaboration with International Rescue Committee (IRC) is responding to the emergency through project to contain the spread of COVID-19 and strengthen the existing capacities of health system in Pakistan. Under the project, MERF;
⇒ Supports 03 isolation facilities, one each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Baluchistan to manage suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
⇒ Has establish 03 Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar for managing complicated cases. In Peshawar, 100 bed hospital equipped with Ventilators, BIPAP machines and centrally oxygen linked ICU beds is managed by MERF.
⇒ Has strengthen designated laboratory services in Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi to screen and confirm COVID-19 cases through provision of PCR Tests. Moreover, PCR Labs have been established in Peshawar and Karachi.
⇒ Provides Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) during COVID -19 outbreak response.
⇒ Mass Sensitization through risk communication and awareness activities.
| KPIs | Numbers |
|---|---|
| PCR Test Done | 152,277 |
| Covid-19 Patients Treated – Isolation word | 1186 |
| Covid-19 Patients Treated – HDU/ICU | 1497 |
| Call Log Home Isolation Services/Treatment | 10279 |
| Psychological First Aid (Only PFA) | 8093 |
| Individual Reach during Awareness/Sensitization session | 42675 |
The project is to enhance COVID -19 vaccine coverage in district Peshawar to save lives of vulnerable population by improving their immunity against COVID-19 through support of International Medical Corps (IMC).
The overall objective is to enhance the COVID -19 vaccine coverage in district Peshawar to save lives of vulnerable population by improving their immunity against COVID-19. Specific objectives/Results of the intervention include the following.
• Improved access of registered individuals to vaccination services through static and mobile vaccination services.
• Enhanced knowledge and attitude of hesitant individuals and communities by enabling them to access scientifically accurate information on COVID-19 vaccination.
Project achieved quite good coverage of the vaccination across Peshawar district beside awareness and advocacy through outdoor media like Billboards and banners throughout the city at strategically selected locations. As of October 2021 following number of people are vaccinated through the program in Peshawar Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
| Age Breakdown and Gender | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Above 18 years of age | 18234 | 4987 |
| Below 18 years of age | 5591 | 3510 |
| Sub Total | 23825 | 8497 |
| Total | 32,322 | |
MERF responded to COVID-19 emergency at its initial phase with support from UNICEF. The challenges posed by spread of COVID-19 required an effective response risk communication and community engagement were key components of preparedness and response plan on COVID-19. Therefore, as the virus started spreading in the month of March in Pakistan, UNICEF designed a community awareness and engagement project in selected districts of KP with high incidence of COVID-19 cases. The main objectives of the intervention were to:
a)Ensure that the outbreak of COVID-2019 is contained and responded timely and efficiently to prevent its spread.
b)Provide support to high-risk district health authorities / Departments of Health to prioritize risk communication and community engagement activities and its implementation.
Under this UNICEF funded program MERF will identify and strengthen the existing community-based entities and will engage them with stakeholders engaged in immunization at both Union Council and district level for effective community engagement and community
mobilization in order to enable the communities to increase demand for immunization services in target 15 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. MERF will develop evidence-based plans for each target union council focusing on gender equality, health systems strengthening and capacity building in order create convergence for enhancement of vaccination coverages. MERF will also disseminate key messages on COVID 19 preventive measures and SOPs during ACSM interventions.
⇒ Project will carry out rapid social mapping/profiling to assess and address social and behavioral issues in target districts and use the information for evidence-based planning and implementation of community engagement interventions.
⇒ Project will identify factors for zero dose, missed newborn birth dose, and defaulters. Also, existing or establish new community structures/committees will be identified to utilize them to create demand for routine immunization services and address refusals within communities. Identify refusals for routine immunization and polio for referrals to EPI centers.
⇒ Human Resource engaged in social mobilization and community outreach for improved uptake of the essential immunization at both district and union council levels will work in close coordination with department of health and community level influencers to as fulcrum for identification of determinants and then awareness raising through IEC material placement and dissemination, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), social networks like WhatsApp, for effecting social change in target union councils.
mobilization in order to enable the communities to increase demand for immunization services in target 15 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. MERF will develop evidence-based plans for each target union council focusing on gender equality, health systems strengthening and capacity building in order create convergence for enhancement of vaccination coverages. MERF will also disseminate key messages on COVID 19 preventive measures and SOPs during ACSM interventions.
⇒ Project will carry out rapid social mapping/profiling to assess and address social and behavioral issues in target districts and use the information for evidence-based planning and implementation of community engagement interventions.
⇒ Project will identify factors for zero dose, missed newborn birth dose, and defaulters. Also, existing or establish new community structures/committees will be identified to utilize them to create demand for routine immunization services and address refusals within communities. Identify refusals for routine immunization and polio for referrals to EPI centers.
⇒ Human Resource engaged in social mobilization and community outreach for improved uptake of the essential immunization at both district and union council levels will work in close coordination with department of health and community level influencers to as fulcrum for identification of determinants and then awareness raising through IEC material placement and dissemination, Public Service Announcements (PSAs), social networks like WhatsApp, for effecting social change in target union councils.MERF is working with DoH, Government of Sindh on Public Private Partnership Model where it is managing 13 Hospitals (02 DHQs, 03 THQs & 08 RHCs) in District Thata and Sujawal on the same model since 2016.
MERF is implementing Stunting Prevention Programme in Baluchistan under Ehsaas- Nashonuma Stunting Prevention Programme supported by World Food Programme. The targeted districts include Kalat, Surab and Lasbela.
Through the Nashonuma Stunting Prevention Programme, BISP has designed a Conditional Cash Transfer intervention to increase the uptake of health and nutrition services by its beneficiaries through facilitation centers (FCs) established under the Programme. MERF is responsible for operationalization and management of FCs, ensuring health and nutrition services to the beneficiary and outreach activities to ensure maximum coverage.
MERF as IP of Action Against Hunger (ACF) is implementing EU PINs nutrition specific component in District Thatta and Sujawal and has established Nutrition Stabilization Centers in DHQ Hospital Makli Thatta and THQ Hospital Sujawal. The objectives of the project are
- Treatment of Malnutrition
- Referral system for children follow up
- IYZCF for preventive work at facilitates specially for children with MAM
- BCC for improved nutrition
The Quetta Urban Survey being carried out by MERF is a multi-purpose household survey that aims to obtain detailed information on the quality of living and access to basic services and infrastructure in urban spaces. This includes a range of themes such as water and sanitation, solid waste management, urban poverty, gender issues, labour market participation and economic empowerment, domestic and international migration, as well as individual aspirations.
