Sohrab Ali

Public Health and Epidemiology professional with over 14 years of experience, including extensive WHO assignments in routine/essential immunization (EPI), Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), AFP/VPD surveillance, outbreak response, program monitoring, data analysis, microplanning, capacity building and government/partner coordination. Holds an MBBS, Master of International Public Health (MPH) (University of Sydney), and MSc in Epidemiology & Biostatistics (MSPH) (Aga Khan University). Experienced in translating immunization and surveillance data into strategic and operational decisions; coordinating with EPI, PEI/EOC structures, government and partners; strengthening routine immunization and surveillance systems; and supporting integrated PEI-EPI planning and implementation.

Strong field orientation with experience in cVDPV2 outbreak response, AFP and environmental surveillance, zero-dose and high-risk population analysis, RED/REC, SIAs, MR/TCV/HPV campaigns, cold-chain and vaccine management, supportive supervision, data quality improvement, technical reporting and capacity building in complex and underserved settings.

Program Manager / Divisional Officer EPI - World Health Organization (WHO) - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

(2020-04)

Coordinate and provide technical support for EPI activities across 10 districts of Malakand Division, including routine immunization, extensive outreach, VPD surveillance, monitoring, capacity building and performance review.

• Support PEI-EPI synergy by linking routine immunization priorities with polio program field structures, surveillance information, high-risk areas and campaign opportunities to improve reach to underserved and zero-dose children.
• Analyze routine immunization, campaign and VPD surveillance performance to identify coverage gaps, zero-dose/under-immunized populations, low-performing areas and operational bottlenecks; translate findings into targeted interventions, corrective actions and technical recommendations for district and program decision-making.
• Developed RED/REC training and monitoring plans for more than 1,000 vaccinators, strengthening microplanning, outreach implementation, defaulter/target tracking and supportive supervision.
• Participated in Data Quality Assessments in four KP districts and supported improvement of data recording, reporting, validation and use for decision-making.
• Conduct field monitoring and supportive supervision of immunization services, including review of session implementation, vaccine availability, cold-chain practices, registers, microplans and service quality.
• Supported cold chain and vaccine management for routine immunization and major vaccination campaigns, including Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), Measles-Rubella (MR) and HPV, with attention to vaccine availability, storage and handling, temperature/cold-chain integrity, VVM status, stock management, session-level vaccine logistics and prevention of stock-outs and vaccine wastage.
• Supported microplanning for the Measles-Rubella Catch-Up Campaigns (2021 and 2025) and supportive supervision during the first Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine campaign in Punjab.
• Facilitate strategic and operational coordination with provincial, divisional and district health authorities, EPI/PEI structures and partners for joint planning, implementation, review, problem-solving and follow-up of immunization and surveillance priorities.
• Prepare and contribute to technical analyses, monitoring findings, review summaries and evidence-based recommendations to support program improvement, accountability and strategic decision-making.
• Conducted Infection Prevention and Control trainings for healthcare providers during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Area Coordinator, Polio Eradication Initiative - World Health Organization (WHO) - Gilgit-Baltistan

(2018-05 - 2020-02)

Coordinated PEI operations at provincial and divisional levels, including Pakistan's first cVDPV2 outbreak response, AFP surveillance, high-risk/mobile population work and humanitarian-access related operations.

• Worked closely with MoH/EPI, PEI partners, provincial government, divisional and district administration, WHO Health Emergencies and field teams to align polio eradication activities with routine immunization strengthening.
• Supported the Gilgit-Baltistan EPI Directorate in integration and synergy of PEI and EPI activities, with emphasis on underserved and high-risk populations.
• Supervised district PEI/surveillance officers and data staff; reviewed operational and epidemiological information and supported evidence-based corrective actions.
• Provided technical support for SIA planning, implementation, monitoring, microplanning quality, staff development and post-campaign review.
• Supported AFP surveillance strengthening, field investigation, risk assessment and identification of areas requiring intensified surveillance or immunization action.
• Promoted use of polio program assets, field intelligence and coordination platforms to strengthen EPI delivery and surveillance.

Divisional Surveillance Officer - World Health Organization (WHO) - Gilgit, Pakistan

(2016-12 - 2018-05)

Provided technical support to the National PEI Program for AFP surveillance, EPI strengthening, health-worker training and polio campaign monitoring.

• Served as focal person for routine/essential immunization, PEI-EPI synergy and polio legacy planning activities.
• Conducted active case search for AFP and other VPDs at health-facility and community levels and supported case investigation and surveillance quality improvement.
• Critically analyzed AFP cases in relation to routine immunization status and supplementary immunization history to identify immunity and program gaps.
• Conducted AFP and Environmental Surveillance data reviews, including poliovirus detection trends and identification of transmission-risk areas.
• Monitored AEFIs during polio rounds and supported safe immunization practices and appropriate follow-up.
• Maintained strong coordination with Department of Health and district/divisional administration as an active member of district polio coordination structures.
• Trained health staff on AFP surveillance, EPI and polio campaign requirements.

Nutrition Consultant - World Health Organization (WHO) - Peshawar, Pakistan

(2015-11 - 2016-04)

• Coordinated with health authorities for establishment/functionalization of Nutrition Stabilization Centres and Health and Nutrition Sentinel Site Surveillance System (HANSS).
• Trained doctors, nurses and Lady Health Workers on inpatient management of complicated SAM and HANSS tools/methodology; supported functionalization of district nutrition systems.

Divisional Nutrition Officer - World Health Organization (WHO) - Mardan, Pakistan

(2013-04 - 2014-03)

• Supported functionalization of NSCs and HANSS in two districts, capacity building of health workers, monthly surveillance-data analysis and preparation of Health and Nutrition Bulletins.
• Supported proposal development, cluster coordination and design of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

Divisional Nutrition Officer - World Health Organization (WHO) - Dir Upper, Pakistan

(2012-03 - 2013-03)

• Supported nutrition surveillance, stabilization-centre services, district capacity building, monthly data analysis/reporting and coordination with health authorities and partners.

Project Coordinator – CMAM - RAHBAR - Buner, Pakistan

(2010-07 - 2010-12)

• Managed CMAM implementation with a multidisciplinary team of more than 80 staff; services reached over 0.1 million children.
• Supervised social mobilization and the Flood Affected Nutrition Survey (FANS) in flood-affected districts.

District Coordinator – PAIMAN - Save the Children US - Buner, Pakistan

(2010-04 - 2010-06)

• Managed the PAIMAN end-line survey and conducted provincial/district debriefings with key stakeholders.

Master of International Public Health - International Public Health - University of Sydney

MSc - Epidemiology & Biostatistics - Aga Khan University

MBBS