By Vincent Khonje:
On Thursday May 11, 2023, Ntaya Primary School ground in the area of Traditional Authority Amidu in Balaka District became the centre of attraction for hundreds of people.
Traditional dances, poems, drama, songs, and some touching speeches were among the performances that took centre stage.
However, the main reason for such a gathering was not to amuse the hundreds, but raise awareness of a very important campaign on integrated Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine ( TCV) Measles – Rubella (M – R ), Polio and Vitamin A supplementation immunisation.
The vaccination exercise earmarked to take place from May 15 to May 21, 2023 is an indication of Malawi Government’s efforts to save lives of many Malawian children who have been in danger of life threatening illnesses for a long time.
The campaign period will target children from nine months to 14 years for Measles – Rubella and Typhoid, with the newly born babies receiving the polio vaccines.
Vitamin A supplement will go to children of ages six to 59 months.
Natural catastrophes including tropical cyclones and a Covid-19 outbreak significantly impacted Malawi’s health system, rendering immunisation attempts unsuccessful.
The fact that representatives of Malawi’s international partners and top government officials graced the auspicious occasion demonstrated the significance of the upcoming campaign.
Headlining the event was secretary for health, Dr. Samson Mndolo as a guest of honour and he minced no words to underscore the importance of immunization in Malawi.
Mndolo said immunisation is effective and sure way of preventing vaccine preventable diseases in children.
“Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health is committed in making sure that infants, toddlers and of course children in general are protected from life threatening and disability causing illnesses. There are also vaccines which prevent development of cancer at a later stage in life,” said Mndolo.
Diseases like Measles, Polio, Typhoid and diseases caused by Vitamin A deficiency are amongst diseases that are disabling and life-threatening.
If left unchecked, there may be a situation where the country is not doing anything to prevent the diseases, the consequences would be health facilities crowded with patients.
“I am excited to be here with you all today to launch the vaccination campaign for the three lifesaving vaccines which are Typhoid Conjugate vaccine, Measles-Rubella vaccine, Polio vaccine but also Vitamin A supplementation for children between six months and five years,” said Mndolo.
The week beginning May 5, 2023 will be crucial for the health officials in Malawi to make sure eligible children to get the vaccines are not left out.
In the approaching immunisation campaign, one element is important because the Typhoid Conjugate vaccine (TCV) will be introduced in Malawi to protect against Typhoid Fever.
Over the years, Malawi has been endemic for Typhoid Fever with significant morbidity and mortality occurring in children under 15 years.
World Health Organisation (WHO) country resident representative Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo believes that as the country introduces the TCV as part of this integrated campaign, and subsequently routinely under the Expanded Programme of Immunisation ( EPI) to children under nine months, it is imperative that all parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure that their eligible children are immunized against Typhoid Fever.
“This is to ensure better protection and enhanced population immunity. The integrated campaign will therefore ensure that all homes, communities, and individuals are reached with the Measles- Rubella, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine, the Oral Polio Vaccine and vitamin A supplements,” said Kimambo.
The vaccines and vitamin A supplements have been proven to be efficacious in boosting the immunity in children under 15 years and reducing the incidence and severity of Measles- Rubella, Typhoid and Polio infections amongst them.
Malawi is said to have been a performing country in Africa with high percentage of fully vaccinated children.
However, a lot of children continue to die which is not a pleasant situation.
The fact that tropical cyclones and Covid-19 pandemic have evidently destroyed the gains, the upcoming campaign presents a chance to make-up for the wasted efforts.
Under Gavi, the vaccine alliance, and technical support from other organisations like World Health Organisation (WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), PATH and UNICEF, the vaccines have to find their way to all eligible children including all those left behind because of the natural disasters.
UNICEF representative Dr. Gianofranco Rotigliano is of the view that resources have to be pulled together by the development partners and the Malawi Government to make sure that the immunisation efforts are supported throughout.
Rotigliano said the international community can also do more to make sure that it supports the health system in Malawi.
“The success of vaccination depends on the health system and let us work on rebuilding the health system where natural disasters hit,” he said.
The success of the immunisation campaign to be undertaken in Malawi will also rely on efforts from everyone.
The official campaign launch at Ntaya saw several duty bearers taking part to show that it is everyone’s duty to see to it that it runs successfully.
From chiefs, politicians, health workers, government officials, fathers, mothers to children, the message was to pass on the message that a very big thing is going to happen in Malawi.
Representing other local councils and committing to the successful campaign, Balaka District Council chairperson Farao Kambiri, gave an assurance that the immunization campaign has been received wholeheartedly.
“Everyone has a role to play and as duty bearers, we have to make sure that is done. Every eligible child will receive the vaccine,” said Kambiri.
For women from group Village head Sumani, TA Amidu, it was an opportunity to show that they wish well for their children.
Hawa Yusufu, has just given birth to twins three month ago,and the launch presented an opportunity to the children to get a Polio vaccine.
Yusufu has another child apart from the twins and revealed that she has always taken issues of immunisation seriously.
“Vaccines are important as they protect the children from several diseases and also make sure their development is not affected,
“I urge all mothers who care about their children’s future to take advantage of the campaign Malawi Government is to embark on and make sure all the children receive the necessary vaccines,” said Yusufu.
Key strategies to be deployed will include static clinics, outreach clinics and temporary sites. Depending on the health officials judgement, house to house strategy will have to be deployed to reach unreached populations based on advice from the local volunteers.
May 15 to 21, 2023 will be important period to safeguard the lives of children, whose futures have been presented with a huge opportunity of driving the country’s development agenda.
The healthier the children the more the hope Malawi will be able to translate its policies into achievable goals.
