NW Region Set to Redouble Vaccination Strides to Prevent Childhood Diseases
A region once noted for quality healthcare is today facing lots of challenges owing to the effects of the close to seven years war currently rocking the region and almost destabilizing the primary healthcare system. Measles and other epidemics common in children have resurfaced and threatening some of the health districts due to marked decrease in vaccination drive. Almost all the 24 health districts that make up the region are far below the 95 percent vaccination point to be considered epidemic-free. Almost all the regions are in red, at 70 percent or less vaccination rate. Mr. Wasu Crispus, Data Analyst at the Northwest Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) office painted the bleak picture on August 23, 2023 during the launching of the Zero Immunization Programme (ZIP) initiative of the RAISE project. RAISE represents Reaching and Adapting Immunization Services Effectively for Zero-Dose Children (ZDC) in Sahel Region (RAISE 4 ZDC in Sahel) – Cameroon.
Under the auspices of the CBC Health Services, the ZIP Initiative is coming not to replace the EPI programme but to support it fill the gaps experienced by the existing team on the ground to surmount the challenges inhibiting effective vaccination coverage. According to the EPI Data Analyst, immunization coverage was better done in 2021 as compared to 2022, thanks to support from GAVI.
The EPI official who also represented the Regional Delegate of Health, called to other duties, indicated to the ZIP project team to also give attention to timely reporting which is below 70 percent (poor) and poor reporting of vaccine usage and dosage. The new policy, he explained, states that do not allow a child go unvaccinated because you want to spare a vaccine, because you may never see that child again when they leave the clinic. Mr. Wasu recommended continuous immunization, else the diseases that were suppressed are likely to resurface just as the case with the measles outbreak that is currently affecting children 0-5 years across the region.
The ZIP initiative will be piloted in two Health Districts in the region namely; Ako and Bamenda III. Quizzed on the choice of these two out of the 24 Health Districts in the NW region, Dr. Foyeth Eugene, ZIP Project Manager said, they chose one rural district (Ako) and one semi urban district (Bamenda III), which findings will help in further research to design other projects. He explained that the briefing at the regional level delayed for almost a year because GAVI, the funding organization had to put in place the right modalities for effective takeoff. On this premise, the ZIP Project Manager solicited all the stakeholders from the regional, district, traditional to community levels to come on board for immediate implementation of direct service delivery after this launching.
“If vaccine was effective yesterday, it is still effective today,” Dr. Foyeth remarked to dispel the myth that vaccination is evil. “We’re here to give practical orientation to the stakeholders for effective implementation,” he re-emphasized.
The Fon of Ako and his District Medical Officer (DMO), the Quarter head of Ndamukong Street in Bamenda and the DMO of Bamenda III Health District all embraced the ZIP initiative. While the traditional authorities committed themselves to intensify community mobilization to preach the importance of immunization, the DMOs, on their part, pledged to galvanize their staff for effective vaccination both in facility and community levels.
Dr. Epie Njume, ZIP Technical Coordinator presented the Initiative in the NW region and moderated a session that addressed the questions and worries of participants. A working session with stakeholders followed the following two days to roll out the effective implementation of the ZIP Initiative to reverse the adverse trend of immunization in the NW region for children 0-5 years.