Community-Based Surveillance in Sehwan Sindh

Community-Based Surveillance in Sehwan Sindh Strengthens Public Health Preparedness

Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) initiative in Sehwan Sindh

In December 2024, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), with support from the Norwegian Red Cross, piloted a Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) initiative in Sehwan Sindh under the Climate Health Project. CBS is a vital tool in public health, especially in regions affected by climate change, where the risk of disease outbreaks is high.

Discover how the Pakistan Red Crescent Society’s health camp in Sehwan improved healthcare access, provided financial aid, and empowered families like Jamati’s.

The initiative was launched in Sehwan Taluka, District Jamshoro, an area vulnerable to climate-related health challenges. CBS empowers local communities to detect, report, and respond to health risks. By serving as an early warning system, it helps prevent outbreaks and strengthens epidemic preparedness.

PRCS piloted Community-Based Surveillance in Sehwan Sindh under the Climate Health Project, empowering volunteers to detect and report health risks.

As part of the pilot, more than 60 trained volunteers were mobilized as frontline community health workers. They received specialized training on syndromic case definitions and priority disease reporting. This training equipped them to recognize adverse health events quickly and escalate alerts to the appropriate health authorities without delay.

The impact was immediate. Health alerts reported by community volunteers were promptly shared with district health authorities, ensuring a faster response to potential risks. This early detection system significantly improved epidemic and outbreak preparedness at the local level.

The Community-Based Surveillance in Sehwan Sindh also aligns with Pakistan’s commitments under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). It highlights how community-driven action can play a transformative role in strengthening public health systems.

By combining climate resilience with local health capacity, PRCS demonstrated how innovative approaches can protect vulnerable populations. CBS not only builds awareness at the grassroots level but also creates a sustainable surveillance model for future health emergencies.

This pilot project is a powerful example of how empowering volunteers and communities can lead to stronger, more resilient healthcare systems in Sindh and across Pakistan.