BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo — In September 2007, the Ministry of Health in South-Kivu Province organized a mass health campaign to provide measles vaccinations, vitamin A supplements, the de-worming medication Mebendazole, and long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs) to vulnerable populations. The campaign sought to expand measles vaccination coverage and reduce morbidity and mortality due to vitamin A deficiency, parasitic worms, and malaria. The campaign targeted over 700,000 children of ages 6 – 59 months in 34 health zones, 25 in Bukavu and 9 in Uvira.
The campaign was divided into three components: prelaunch preparations, the official launch, and the actual vaccination and distribution activities in the 34 health zones. The pre-launch activities included preparatory meetings with members of the civil society, chief consultants from the selected health zones, supervisors at vaccination sites, community health agents, and members of the media. During the pre-launch meetings, staff from PSI’s Congo affiliate Association de Sante Familiale (ASF) explained the importance of using LLINs to prevent malaria and demonstrated to community health agents how recipients of the nets should correctly use them. Community health agents then went door to door in selected health zones to explain the benefits of vaccinating children and using LLINs. Key messages about the importance of vaccinating children were broadcast on local radio and TV stations in the days leading up to the campaign. Also, posters with campaign messages were placed in public places and on road panels.
The day of the official launch coincided with the celebration of World Peace Day. Various songs, dances, theatre sketches and short speeches were organized around the World Peace Day slogan, “Peace in Action” to promote both peace in South Kivu and the importance of vaccinations.
At the end of the campaign, more than 600,000 children received measles vaccinations, Vitamin A supplements, Mebendazole and a mosquito net. Total coverage was 83.4 %: 473,872 children out of 541,196 targeted were reached in the Bukavu health zones and 132,446 out of 185,830 targeted children were reached in the Uvira health zones. Compared to previous campaigns, the 2007 World Peace Day campaign had noticeably more community involvement in campaign planning and mobilisation. Despite logistical difficulties — shortages of certain inputs and an influx of people from health zones not included in the campaign to campaign sites — the campaign was a success.
The campaign was possible thanks to the leadership of the Ministry of Health, donor country governments, humanitarians organizations, local partners and private foundations. The organizations cited below played specific roles necessary to provide vaccinations and LLINs to the children of South Kivu.
- UNICEF: resource mobilization, supplied LLINs and ensured logistics
- WHO: supplied measles vaccine, Vitamin A supplements and Mebendazole
- PSI/ASF: suppliedy LLINs, training and social mobilization
- AXxes USAID: supplied LLINs
- Provincial Inspection of Health: training and social mobilization
For more information:
• Democratic Republic of Congo
