UNICEF facilitates provision of primary healthcare services to 100,000 people in less advantaged areas

In an effort to strengthen healthcare services for vulnerable children and their families in highly refugee-populated regions, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), supported the staffing and equipping of 13 Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in Sistan and Baluchestan and Khorasan Razavi provinces. The health services cover more than 100,000 people, including both refugees and host community members.

Furthermore, UNICEF’s response to the devastating floods in 2024 that struck Chabahar County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province included rapidly deploying two prefabricated mobile PHC units. The floods caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, leaving communities, particularly children and women, in urgent need of healthcare support. These units, deployed in collaboration with the MoHME, were designed to ensure the continuity of PHC services for flood-affected populations, particularly in districts where healthcare access was severely disrupted. To date, this intervention has reached 5,310 beneficiaries, including 500 children, reinforcing UNICEF’s dedication to enhancing healthcare access for the most vulnerable populations across the country.

The PHC centres provide an inclusive package of health and nutrition interventions, catering to all age groups, with a particular emphasis on children and women of reproductive age. These facilities serve as the first point of contact within the healthcare system, playing a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive and accessible care. Recognizing the importance of equitable access, UNICEF has ensured that these services are inclusive and do not exclude individuals with special needs.