The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) organizes the Annual Planning Assessment Meeting 2026 in Kassala
Kassala /The Citizen
The Annual Planning Assessment Meeting 2026, organized by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) at the Federal Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Middle East Network for Community Health, UNICEF, and World Health, hosted the annual planning evaluation meeting in Kassala on Saturday under the slogan “From Emergency Response to Stability and Recovery,” and will continue until February 12.
The Director of the General Directorate of Basic Health Care, Dr. Musab Siddique, congratulated the immunization program on holding the meeting, restoring the central chain, and introducing new vaccines, which reflect the efforts made by its employees, praising the partners and the support they provide.
Siddique directed that within the slogan of the meeting, vaccination should be an entrance to recovery and strengthening the health system in terms of “the success of the immunization program represents the recovery of the entire health system”, while carrying out studies on the new vaccines.
The Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Ismahan Al-Khair, said that the meeting is an assessment and planning for the future of Sudan’s children, noting that the immunization program is not only a health program but also carries a humanitarian message to reach all children.
The Director of the Expanded Immunization Program, Ismail Al-Adani, confirmed that the program has achieved many accomplishments during 2025, the first of which is reaching coverage with the first dose above 83%, achieving the slogan “Despite what happens, we must continue.” He thanked all the immunization employees in the center and the states and addressed many epidemics such as cholera and diphtheria.
Al-Adani revealed that the period from 2026 to 2030, according to the strategic plan of the program, seeks to make a sufficient recovery with the help of partners, especially cold chains, as the backbone of the recovery of the program in all parts of Sudan, announcing the start of the maintenance of refrigerators and the provision of an additional number of them to the states according to the need.
Dr. Nada Jaafar, representative of the Middle East Network for Community Health, noted that the meeting is important for planning, follow-up and renewal of commitment between the immunization cadres and partners, pointing to the strength of the partnership between the immunization program and the partners.
UNICEF Representative Victor Sully, Dr. Hanan Mukhtar of World Health Organization, and Bashir Kamal El-Din of Save the Children addressed the opening session, who stressed the importance of the meeting, declaring continued support.