Mother Care Groups (MCGs) in Mchinji are taking the immunisation agenda in hard-to-reach areas. The groups want to make sure that children to receive life-saving vaccines and prevent diseases.
Chairperson for Nzama MCG, Sophlet Bakayawo, said the groups have been instrumental in mobilising women and sensitising communities. They have been going around the communities talking about the importance of immunisation.
“We meet regularly to discuss how we can improve child health in our villages. One of our key focus areas is immunisation. The organization goes from home to home to share the importance of immunization.
Rhoda Chikudzulire, Secretary for Matutu-Msasi MCG, highlighted how misinformation has affected vaccination uptake among caregivers.
Due to Lack of information on vaccines, many women think that giving vaccines to children is a bad thing. In this regard the organization is working hard to fight misinformation. They are holding meetings with duty bearers, chiefs, and community members.
The aim is to provide accurate information about vaccines. The situation has improved significantly due to the work done by the organization. even men go to under-five clinics with their children if mothers are tied up.
With the MCGs in place, Mchinji has observed a significant increase in attendance at immunisation clinics in areas where these groups are active, consequently, there is also an increase in vaccine coverage.
Davis Sambikeni, Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) coordinator for Mchinji, said that as of 2024, Mchinji has achieved 83 per cent coverage of vaccines.
The situation is much better now compared to a few years previously. By then, these organisations were 78 per cent and below in their coverage of immunization
The vaccines that are administered as a part of the immunization effort include BCG, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Measles-Rubella, and the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14.
The Centre for Research and Development Initiative (CERADI), with support from the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) were responsible for the creation of the mother care groups. The organization is implementing the Health Systems and Immunisation Strengthening Project supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).