Salima community health org commits to vaccine uptake

Malawi-Members of the community health organization in Salima have committed to taking a leading role in disseminating positive information to increase COVID-19 and cholera vaccine uptake among people, writes Alinafe Nyanda.

This commitment was revealed during a two-day orientation training for community health front workers organized by the Family Planning Association of Malawi (Fpam) on Monday in the district.

Edson Shadrack Ngolomi Banda, the traditional authority's director and CEO and president of Sere Community-Based Organization Kambwiri, speaking on behalf of the organizations, said myths and misconceptions about COVID-19 and cholera have been one of the major constraints in sensitizing the community on the importance of the vaccine.

Banda said, "As community organizations working in the health sector in Salima district, we vow to work tirelessly to help the government dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding COVID-19 to encourage the community to take the vaccine."

Florence Gondwe, FPAM service provider in Salima, described the training as a milestone in the fight against COVID-19.

She said they decided to engage and train community health front-line workers to increase vaccine uptake.

Deliwe Banda Chipeta, principal prevention and case management officer for COVID-19 and the Cholera secretariat, said community volunteers were targeted since they are always trusted by people and are good at countering misconceptions and myths that are going around their respective areas.

The Family Planning Association of Malawi is implementing the COVID-19 response mechanism project with support from the global fund through Action Aid in the country.