By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, May 26, Mana: Health authorities in Blantyre have commended mother care groups (MCGs) for bridging gap between communities and health workers, significantly improving male involvement in child health.

Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Women for Fair Development (WOFAD), and Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) jointly organized a tour to three MCGs to appreciate their advocacy roles in community mobilization on routine child vaccination.

Extended Project on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator at Blantyre DHO, Myless Mhango, commended MHEN for organizing volunteer mothers, working as MCGs in Blantyre, saying the MCGs act as bridge between communities and health workers in community mobilization on child health in hard to reach areas.

“The impact is evident: numbers of zero-dose children have decreased significantly in areas with MCGs.  There is a dropout rates from 10 percent to 5 percent. For instance, Chiswe care group under Bangwe Health Center had 20 zero dose children, now they are all on vaccine,” she said, further acknowledging MCGs’ role in dispelling misconceptions about vaccines.

Mhango also expressed gratitude on MCG’s role in mobilizing men in become champions in child health.

“By working closely with community leaders and health workers, the MCGs have fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among men, as witnessed by high numbers of men bringing their children for Under 5 clinics,” Mhango said.

WOFAD Executive Director, Apostle Lindiwe Matanya, also hailed volunteer MSGs for contributing to Blantyre DHO’s drive for successful vaccination and immunization.

Apostle Matanya called upon the MSGs to continue engaging community leaders for impactful community mobilization.

“The community leaders easily identify zero dose and under-immunized children, they know which family has a baby, and the follow up is easier for them,” she said, adding: “The community leaders identify shortfalls at the facility and advocated for it.

“Some community leaders advocate for construction of houses for Health Surveillance Assistants, shelters, and refrigerators in health facilities,” she added.

Chairperson for Tikondane MCG, under Ntonda Clinic, Joyce Sajiwa assured Blantyre DHO and partners that the care groups at Ntonda Clinic, under Senior Group Head Kajombo, Traditional Authority Kapeni, will remain committed in promoting child health.

“Our children are not getting sick frequently, giving us a chance to concentrate on other things in our families. We have been taught to be self-reliant, and we also discuss business and how we can uplift the society,” she said.

Chairperson for Mbira MCG, Janet Bamu whose group operates at Group Village Head Mchere, Traditional Authority Kapeni (under Mlambe Hospital), said plans were there to mobilize more communities to go for family planning.

Apart from Tikondane and Mbira MCGs, Blantyre DHO, MHEN and WOFAD also visited Nkolesya MCG where the DHO and partners appreciated construction of shelters at outreach clinics, improved male involvement in health initiatives, decrease in zero-dose children, and drop in school dropout rates among others.