UGANDA UNITED AGAINST MEASLES by Sophia Jeffrey In October 2003, health leaders throughout Uganda united in the fight against measles, the childhood killer that is still prevalent throughout Africa. "Measles has been robbing us of our precious wealth… our children," said the Ugandan Minister of Health at a campaign kick-off ceremony, explaining that measles affects more than 60,000 Ugandans per year, and kills over 5,000 children annually. From October 15th - 23rd, Measles Initiative partners the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ugandan Ministry of Health carried out a successful immunization campaign nationwide to stop the spread of measles and save more than 10,000 lives. The Value of Partnership Stopping the transmission of the measles virus means that vaccination levels need to be above 95%. Yet at less than 90 percent, Uganda routine immunization levels have been low. In order to strengthen routine immunization, the Ugandan Ministry of Health and its partners including Measles Initiative partners, Ugandan religious leaders and cultural leaders, as well as the private sector and media, developed the Strategic Measles Control Plan (2002-2006). The result has been a nationwide push for immunization campaigns, which also provide vitamin A supplements, as well as the opportunity to monitor and improve disease surveillance and implement catch-up campaigns to vaccinate all children within a particular age group regardless of previous vaccination history. As a result of these efforts, immunization coverage in Uganda has jumped from 61% in 2000 to 78% in 2003. In early November 2001, the American Red Cross and its partners supported the Uganda National Red Cross Society to lead efforts in five Ugandan districts to vaccinate 1.5 million children under five years of age for measles. October Campaign & Results Leading up to the October 2003 campaign, the Ugandan Ministry of Health and its partners prepared and supported districts in planning, training, social mobilization and implementation. The results of such preparation were widespread and impressive. The campaign reached more than half the population of Uganda, vaccinating 13,440,619 children. In fact, coverage exceeded the campaign target, reaching 104 percent. Children also came from neighboring countries to be vaccinated. The campaign was also an opportunity to a deliver vitamin A, de-worming tablets, and Tetanus Toxoid for controlling Neonatal Tetanus. The success of Ugandan measles campaigns is due to several features of the Ugandan Red Cross Societies, explained Dr. Mark Grabosky, technical advisor on measles for the American Red Cross. "The Ugandan Red Cross has good relations with the Ugandan Health Ministry and is also very skilled at handling the nuts and bolts of measles campaigns, from social mobilization to training of volunteers and implementation." Such factors are further strengthened by the reputation that Red Cross societies have in Uganda. "The Ugandan Red Cross is involved in ongoing relief efforts throughout the country, and so is a known and trusted entity. Having the Red Cross name associated with measles vaccination campaigns gives additional assurance to people and added incentive to participate." The Ugandan Health Ministry deemed the campaign a success on many levels. In addition to "protecting our people for measles, neonatal tetanus and strengthening their immunity and health," explained the Ugandan Minister of Health, we developed "advocacy, community empowerment and high profile for immunization services." He added that the campaigns strengthened cold chain (getting the vaccine which must be kept cold to vaccination posts across the country) and social mobilization systems (spreading the word to mothers to bring their children to be vaccinated) and also succeeded in building alliances with new private sector partners. In addition, the campaign firmly established media support for immunization. "The success of the exercise demonstrates the power of partnership, in this case the Global and National Measles Partnership that brought success." The Ugandan Ministry of Health is now working with districts to do 'mop-up' campaigns in sub-counties that did not achieve the target levels of immunization, and has set up a comprehensive surveillance system for measles.   © Copyright 2003 The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.        CONTACT US  |  SITE DIRECTORY  |  PRIVACY POLICY