The Call Center: An Effective Step towards Improved Polio Program Management
Kabul, Afghanistan: The National Emergency Operations Center has inaugurated a “Call Center” to outreach and accountability of the polio program, raise community awareness about vaccination, and facilitate public engagement by actively seeking opinions and addressing concerns.
Public Health Minister Dr. Qalandar Ibaad, along with Dr. Nek Wali Shah Momin, the Director of National Emergency Operations Center, and several other officials, participated in the inauguration of the center.
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Qalandar Ibaad, stated that the establishment of the Call Center in the National Emergency Operations Center is a significant success for the relevant ministry.
He expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their financial and technical support in creating the center.
He emphasized that this center serves as a vital two-way communication channel. It does not only respond to inquiries and concerns regarding polio vaccination but also engages directly with the target population in society, offering them valuable information about immunization initiatives. The goal is to inspire families to protect their children from polio and other childhood diseases by getting them vaccinated.
He told, “The Ministry of Public Health is fully dedicated to the complete eradication of the deadly and paralyzing polio virus in Afghanistan.”
Dr. Nek Wali Shah Momin, the Director of the National Emergency Operations Center, mentioned his satisfaction in inaugurating a state-of-the-art and fully equipped Call Center dedicated to the polio eradication program.
He reiterated that the establishment of this center plays a crucial role in the management of the polio eradication program, offering citizens an avenue to connect via the toll-free number 141 and voice their inquiries, apprehensions, and suggestions regarding vaccination.
He denoted that this center has been activated to foster bilateral relations, enabling us to engage with the local population, raise their awareness, and disseminate vital information about the polio program.
The “Call Center,” associated with the National Emergency Operations Center, has been successfully established with the technical and financial support of UNICEF.
This center plays a pivotal role in addressing inquiries and concerns from the public regarding the polio eradication program in Afghanistan.
Its primary objective is to enhance the overall acceptance of vaccination within the society To achieve this, the center employs various communication methods, such as engaging in informative telephone conversations and disseminating precise information through written and voice messages.
Furthermore, this center will be responsible for overseeing and conducting assessments of the polio program through monitoring and surveys.
