Bringing Hope and Health to Dera Ismail Khan: Aliya Ejaz's Journey

This field story follows the inspiring journey of Aliya Ejaz, a dedicated health worker bringing hope and life-saving services to children and families in Dera Ismail Khan — one of Pakistan's most challenging districts for polio eradication. Her work exemplifies the integrated service delivery approach adopted by the programme to maximize health impact beyond just polio vaccination.

Aliya operates as part of an initiative that combines polio immunization with other essential health services such as vitamin A supplementation, deworming, and maternal health consultations. By offering multiple services simultaneously, health teams build stronger community relationships and increase household willingness to engage with vaccination.

In Dera Ismail Khan, a district with a history of security challenges and vaccine hesitancy, Aliya's presence as a local female health worker gives her access and trust that outsiders cannot easily achieve. She speaks the local language, understands the cultural context, and builds personal relationships with mothers in her community.

Her story demonstrates that polio eradication requires more than just vaccines — it requires trusted relationships, community integration, and a holistic approach to health that resonates with the people being served.

Aliya's journey is both a celebration of individual dedication and a model for how integrated service delivery can improve immunization outcomes in the most difficult environments, offering lessons applicable to other high-risk areas across Pakistan.