Health surveillance assistants and mother care groups have expressed optimism that every child in Traditional Authority Kazyozyo in Mchinji will access immunisation services under Reaching Every Child campaign.
Malawi Health Equity Network (Mhen) in conjunction with Centre for Research and Development Initiative (Ceradi) is implementing the campaign to ensure that every under-five child receives vaccines and other nutrition services.
Speaking on Sunday when Mhen monitored the progress of the initiative in T/A Kazyozyo, a health surveillance assistant John Chaphukira said despite misconceptions about vaccines, he hoped that parents will understand the importance of immunisation as the campaign progresses.
“Despite the challenges, mother care groups are doing a good job in inculcating mindset change among communities and we are now vaccinating many children,” he said.
On her part, Tikondane Mother Care Group secretary Sofia Phiri said they have encouraged many parents to have their children vaccinated.
“There is some resistance on immunisation partly because people have misconceptions on vaccines. However, after civic-educating them on the importance of immunisation, many have changed their minds,” she said.
Phiri, however, lamented long distances people cover to Mzenga Health Centre for immunisation.
She asked duty-bearers to construct a health facility in the area to improve access to the services.
Mchnji district director of environmental health services Robson Kayira commended the volunteers for promoting immunisation.
Ceradi executive director Tambosi Phiri emphasised her organisation’s role in mobilising mother care groups to promote immunisation.
“Monitoring mother care groups helps to strengthen vaccine and immunisation programmes and reduce the risk of outbreaks among under-five children,” she said.
With funding from the Global Alliance for Vaccine Immunisation, Mhen is implementing the Reaching Every Child campaign in the district.
