Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), says a reliable mode of transport plays a significant role in ensuring effective community mobilisation for improved child health across Malawi.
MHEN Executive Director, George Jobe, made the remarks on Monday as he handed over a bicycle to Mpendekela Mother Care Group at Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre to improve the group’s mobility.
According to Jobe, mother care groups work voluntarily with limited resources, saying it was pleasing to see them doing incredible work in mobilising parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against illnesses.
The mother care groups use tracing tools such as vaccine cards and community registers which help them identify children who are missing their vaccinations. The group members also encourage expectant mothers to deliver their children at certified health facilities.”.
The construction of a footbridge at Lundu has helped communities to access health services, especially during the rainy season. As such the community considers it to be a major milestone for the district.
Jobe expressed gratitude over the groups commitment towards child health as MHEN was at Lundu as part of its ongoing monitoring and evaluation visits in the nine districts, including Blantyre, where the organisation works with the mother care group in mobilising communities on child vaccination.
Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Lundu Health Centre, Sigrace Seda, acknowledged the mother care groups active contribution to numerous activities that improved health delivery.
It was difficult to get a hold on children and women who miss vaccination before the mother care groups came into existence. With the help of mother care groups follow-ups, the district health office data is more accurate, and coverage has improved.
Mpendekela Mother Care Groups Secretary, Veronica Kalino, expressed gratitude over the bicycle donation, saying this will improve mobility to remote areas in times of community mobilisation.
The healthcare professionals struggled to reach remote areas as there was shortage of transport facilities. With this bicycle, we can now visit more households to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Senior Village Head, Chilundu, also hailed the group for playing an active role in community mobilisation, which had seen improved vaccine uptake in most areas within Lunzu Health Center catchment.
Mother Care Groups were established in 2022 by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health, with technical support from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and funding from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).