The Eastern  Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) conducted a six-day workshop under the title “Building a Pool of Potential Consultants for Strengthening Routine Immunization at the Regional Level” in Amman, Jordan between April 16 and 21 of 2016. This event comes as part of EMPHNET’s aim to strengthen routine immunization in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), particularly in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen and Sudan.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Red Cross Federation, and ministries of health in the region. Its sessions were designed to refresh and prepare participants for strengthening immunization system in their countries and for field deployments related to routine immunization.

For training purposes, the WHO immunization modules, guidelines and some additional materials were used. Sessions included a review of key components of the routine immunization system, micro planning, service delivery, VPD surveillance, communications and social mobilization, vaccine and logistics management alongside other issues. The sessions were facilitated by a team of experts coming from EMPHNET, CDC, WHO, and UNICEF alongside other organizations. They included presentations, group work, and practical applications.

Speaking at the opening EMPHNET’s Executive Director Dr. Mohannad Al-Nsour said: “This workshop is a milestone which adds to the greater efforts that are needed to provide safe and effective vaccines to every child in the region- and especially those in underserved, remote/ deprived settings. We want to reach every child that has been displaced and every child located in conflicted zones.” He further requested from all participants to utilize the expertise of facilitators, while ending his talks with an expression of his confidence in their ability to succeed in the field following this training.

From his end, the Chief of Health and Nutrition Section at UNICEF Dr. Moazzem Hussain said that the workshop brings together over 200 years of experience. He stated that most workshops only bring 20 participants at most, while this effort brings together over 45 participants. Dr. Hussain further added that EMPHNET’s workshops maintain the same level of enthusiasm from the beginning to the end, as participants show an eagerness to learn.

Following the training, participants will be deployed to the field upon request by needed countries. Field deployments will be based on the request of Strengthening Routine Immunization Initiative Partners at the regional level. The specific assignments will be made as opportunities arise in the months following the workshop and will include activities such as participating in EPI activity reviews and assessment. Duration of mission will be between one to four weeks.

Interviews from the Event:

Dr. Moazzem Hussain
Chief of Health and Nutrition Section
UNICEF Regional Office- Jordan

Dr. Moazzem Hussain notes that this workshop is timely in as much as it is significant. This is particularly true because some countries- due to conflict-are behind in routine immunization coverage. It is for this reason that the need exists for a lot of people who are trained on routine immunization, who can help such countries refocus to bring the success they once had. EMPHNET made enormous efforts in managing the large number of participants, not typical in such workshops, and managed to ensure the quality of the training as well as the interaction of participants. Most of the sessions were short presentations and group discussions and exercises workshop: which allowed the participants to interact, contribute, and raise questions. Dr. Hussain suggests that work should be done on the recruitment process, so that when the need arises for the assistance of these consultants, they can be readily available.

Dr. Hardeep Sandhu
Team Lead for  Workforce Development
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-  USA

As a facilitator, Dr. Hardeep Sandhu noticed that the participants are a diverse group of people, coming from different countries. In this workshop, the participants were exposed to the latest trends in routine immunization, from a global perspective. He noted that the workshop is not typical lecturing, as it involved group exercises where the participants had the chance to learn from each other- this is the advantage of collective knowledge. The next step after this training is to utilize the potential of these well-trained consultants in two ways- for their countries and for other countries by working with various public health organizations.

Dr. Bismillah Aziz
Immunization Program  Specialist
Ministry of Health- Afghanistan

As a participant, Dr. Bismillah Aziz commended the efforts put into this workshop by EMPHNET, CDC, WHO, and UNICEF. Dr. Aziz notes that the training saw strong interaction from the participants, and that the facilitators were supportive throughout. He adds that the sessions were of practical value, and that this will motivate participants to use the knowledge and skills acquired in this workshop on the ground. The specific skills gained, according to Dr. Aziz, were communication and negotiation, with the community, donors and partners. In the future, Dr. Aziz expects participants to start working in the field to provide stronger support to immunization programs.

Dr. Faris Allami
Resident Advisor of Iraq Field Epidemiology Training Program (I-FETP)
Ministry of Health- Iraq

Dr. Faris Al Lami notes that this workshop articulates EMPHNET’s role in improving country capacity in terms of routine immunization, particularly in relation to human resources. According to Dr. Al Lami, the facilitators come with extensive experience, both at the international and regional levels. This provides participants with useful knowledge which they can later employ in their respective countries. Dr. Al Lami adds that the instruction adopted in this training is a practical one as it involves case studies, real scenarios, exercises-which participants can apply to a range of contexts. Following this training, he hopes that more in-depth training in the area of routine immunization will be given to the most suitable candidates.

Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Bashir
Head of Planning and Policy Section for Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI)
Federal Ministry of Health- Sudan

Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Bashir notes that this workshop addresses a key aspect of immunization programs, which is routine immunization. Dr. Bashir states that this workshop has been comprehensive, and it has offered the latest in the issue. The most important issues discussed were planning and data quality: Data quality and planning are important for all services. With this workshop, she is now more acquainted with planning for expanded programs for immunization (EPI), ones implemented at the district level as well. She works with the EPI in Sudan, and on a day-to-day basis a new issue arises that they have to deal with. Because of the practical and logical knowledge, she has gained here, she is now able to address these issues in an efficient manner.

Dr. Nima Saeed Abed
Team Leader for Polio Eradication
World Health Organization Regional Office- Jordan

As a facilitator, Dr. Nima Abed notes that most participants, who are professionals with experience in routine immunization, come from countries which currently deal with complex emergencies. He states that this workshop will provide these professionals with the technical and operational skills needed to improve routine immunization in their countries, and hence in the region as a whole. Dr. Abed adds that this workshop was of a participatory nature that allowed every single participant to contribute ideas and feedback. He adds that the region is need of such experts with in-depth knowledge in routine immunization to transform the situation in the region. He adds that what needs to be done is to follow up with participants who are eligible for future deployment in the field.