By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 14, Mana: Chitipa District Council has applauded Health Systems and Immunization Strengthening (HSIS) project, implemented by Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), for increasing immunization coverage in Chitipa District from 75 percent in 2019 to 81 percent in 2024.

District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO) for Chitipa, O'john Mpoha, made the sentiments on Wednesday during HSIS project

engagement meeting aimed at strengthening linkages between health surveillance assistants and mother care groups.

Mpoha commended mother care groups model being used by the project, saying the group members are playing vital roles in following up children who have defaulted immunization.

“We have had difficulties in improving immunization coverage in the district. But with the coming in of Health Systems and Immunization Strengthening project and establishment of mother care groups, immunization coverage in the district has improved,” Mpoha explained.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for MHEN, Florence Khonyongwa, said mother care group members were empowered to do advocacy, default track under-five children, create demand on immunization and register under-five children.

“The mother care groups have also facilitated construction and renovation of houses for health surveillance assistants, health posts and under-five children shelters in hard to reach areas, among other achievements,” Khonyongwa said.

MHEN is implementing HSIS project in nine districts with financial support from Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) through the Ministry of Health’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).