Vitamin A Supplementation: Invaluable Contribution Of Partners, Donors

“I have served in other parts of the country, but Gado Badzere is simply unbelievable!” exclaims a grinning Elhadj Aboubakar, Head of Gado Badzere Integrated Health Centre. Which is located in Garoua Boulai Health District in Lom and Djerem Division of Cameroon’s East Region. “I am so grateful for the support of partners like the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the African Humanitarian Agency, AHA, the Canadian government and Global Affairs Canada, GAC…They support our work materially, technically, financially…..” says Aboubakar.
“Elsewhere,” he stresses, “you don’t find such facilities easily. In fact, we never run short of anything in Gado Badzere!” says an elated Aboubakar. Who hastens to add that he is blessed to serve in Gado Badzere Integrated Health Centre since December 2020. Coming from Gadji Integrated Health Centre, also in Lom and Djerem Division of East Region.       
With a host population of 9,635 and refugees totalling 33,089; the polio vaccination drive from May 13-16, 2022 and June 10-13, 2022, targets 6,652 children in Gado Badzere health area. With 18 vaccination teams combing the area. While mobilisers are people of the same community. “Because of regular sensitisation by partners, refugees in Gado Badzere Camp have no problems with polio vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation. Each time we have an activity in the camp, everything goes on smoothly,” Elhadj Aboubakar discloses with an air of self-contentment. Adding, “Some parents even ask to be given Vitamin A supplementation! But we always explain that it is meant for children!”
Though there is a higher rate of malnutrition in the refugee camp than amongst local children, detected cases are often quickly corrected ...