Deux Gouttes: STOP POLIO!

Launched on the occasion of the Third African Vaccination Week (AVW) in April 2013, this website from the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) Programme in Chad features up-to-date information and data on the situation of polio in Chad, while providing information on Government and Partners' efforts to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunisation in the country. Sections of the website, available in English and French, include:

• News: For example, several articles discuss the third AVW, during which all 46 Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the African Region are expected to push the message that it is the right of all to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and have access to public health services. In addition to activities such as delivery of life-saving interventions, "[p]articipating countries will...embark on mobilization and sensitization campaigns using traditional, modern and social media, engage religious leaders where relevant, organize sensitization workshops for media practitioners and health workers, among others; conduct community dialogues through panel discussions, recognize deserving health workers through award of certificates, and sensitize supervisors as well as undertake supportive supervisory visits to vaccination sites."
• Polio: For example, one article describes United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) communication efforts in the fight against polio in Chad. As part of this work, reporting cases of refusal in Ndjamena led UNICEF to support an initiative based on participation of youth associations, Chadian Artists, local scouts, and community radio stations. They all visited the high-risk district and interacted with the population to explain the importance of vaccination. This initiative is in the process of being evaluated and will be shared.
• Media: Includes items such as communication materials, fact sheets, newsletters, videos (such as the one below), and photos.
• From the Field: For example, one article introduces readers to Hamid, a polio immunisation champion who is Imam of the region of Mongo, in Chad, where there is ingrained refusal. He says: "Yes. I do use my position as man of faith to convince my people to do the right thing....Unfortunately, many families here are simple farmers. They are not very educated, and are susceptible to manipulation. This is why I ask parents to have faith in what I tell them. I tell them that the disease is very serious, so serious that protection from it is provided by the government free of charge. I try to make them see the logic in my own engagement against polio."
• Data & Map: Includes, for instance, items such as "Social Data - Trends Analysis from October 2012 to March 2013".