Vitamin A Supplementation: Surmounting Resistance, Difficult Access

Like in the rest of the country, Betare Oya Health District in Lom and Djerem Division of Cameroon’s East Region is also taking part in the 2022 National Vaccination Days against polio from May 13-16 and June 10-13. Organised by the Ministry of Public Health and its partners, the target in Betare Oya Health District is 36,141 children – giving 28 per cent of the total children population of 141,445.
Covering Betare Oya and Ngoura Subdivisions, the campaign in Betare Oya Health District is conducted by 25 teams. Vitamin A capsules are also administered to children aged 6-59 months. As well as deworming and a census of babies under three months old without birth certificates.
The Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, GAC, has financed the acquisition of Vitamin A capsules, their distribution and administration in Cameroon worth 610 million FCFA. GAC’s funding is channelled through the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF Cameroon. According to Nankap Martin, a nutritionist with UNICEF Cameroon, Vitamin A supplementation was informed by the fact that over 35 per cent of children less than five years old in Cameroon suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.
“Some parents refuse their children from being vaccinated out of ignorance. The situation has been compounded by the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic,” explains Angos Archange Michel, a Senior Public Health Administrator and District Medical Officer for Betare Oya. “In such instances, Community Health Workers (who might be relatives of those putting up resistance) employ the Education for Behaviour Change Communication strategy. And it often works!” Angos Ar...