By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, February 15, Mana: Mother care groups in Blantyre are lobbying for more support from the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) to enable the groups adequately sensitise mothers to vaccinate under five children for effective child immunisation.

The appeal came on Friday during monitoring and mentorship training to members of Mtondoko and   Chimembe Mother Care Group (MCG) at Makata and Chimembe health centres in Blantyre where Malawi Equity Health Network (MEHN) met the mother groups to discuss challenges in advocacy and community mobilisation on child immunisation.

Chairperson for Mtondoko MCG, Sarah James said there was a need for frequent MCG trainings to discuss more on under-five vaccinations, citing limited equipment for vaccination, lack of infrastructure for under-five clinics, lack of transport to reach out to communities especially in had to reach areas. 

“Community mobilisation by mother care groups has helped a lot mothers to understand the importance of child vaccination. MEHN continue to provide mother care groups with refresher training,” added James.

Chimembe MCG, Chairperson, Joyce Harry said limited community engagement and difficulties in tracking vaccine schedules and follow-ups are some of the setbacks in child immunisation.

“MEHN support to mother care groups is bearing fruits if we compare the time mother care groups were not introduced," said Harry.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for MHEN, Florence Khonyongwa encouraged MCGs to put effort mobilising communities on child immunization.

She acknowledged the challenges MCGs are facing in the course of advocacy and community mobilisation on child immunisation, saying MHEN will discuss with them to seek solutions for the challenges.

"There is a need for improvement in vaccine coverage. The groups need to find other alternative means to ensure effective advocacy and community mobilization for better results," added Khonyongwa.

MHEN support MCG on advocacy and community mobilisation on child immunisation and other health-related issues in nine districts, namely; Blantyre, Mchinji, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Dowa, Mzimba South, Mzimba North, Chitipa and Lilongwe with financial support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).