A Healthier Start for Pakistan’s Newborns

Welcoming a newborn into the world is a moment of joy, but it also comes with challenges. In Pakistan, many babies are born facing risks linked to maternal health issues such as anemia, pre-eclampsia, or poor nutrition. These conditions make infants more vulnerable to infections and diseases. That’s why immediate protection through vaccination is critical.

Birth Dose Centres, supported by UNICEF and KSrelief, are transforming the way newborns receive care. Located inside maternity wards, these centres ensure that babies are vaccinated against tuberculosis, polio, and hepatitis B within the first hour of life if they are healthy. For those born with complications, vaccines are administered before discharge, closing dangerous gaps in early immunization.

Families benefit from more than just vaccines. Health workers provide counselling on breastfeeding, maternal nutrition, and the importance of completing the immunization schedule. Parents leave with an updated immunization card and a QR code that connects them to Pakistan’s national vaccination programme. This simple innovation makes follow-up care easier and reduces the number of zero-dose children.

The impact has been remarkable. In the first year of introducing Birth Dose Centres, immunization rates at birth jumped from just 8 percent to an impressive 95 percent. This means thousands of newborns are now protected from life-threatening diseases right from the start.

Grandmothers often play a vital role in this journey. In many cases, they are the ones carrying newborns to the vaccination centre while mothers recover. Their involvement highlights the importance of family support in ensuring babies receive timely care.

These centres are more than just vaccination points—they are lifelines. Equipped with trained staff, reliable cold chain systems, and strong vaccine management, they guarantee safety and effectiveness. By integrating vaccination into the maternity ward experience, Pakistan is giving its youngest citizens a healthier beginning and a stronger chance to thrive.

From day one, Birth Dose Centres are helping families overcome barriers, dispel myths, and embrace the power of prevention. Every vaccinated newborn represents hope for a healthier future, not just for the child but for the entire community.