Health Surveillance Assistants Trained on Vaccination Mapping in Mzimba
The training, conducted across various areas in Mzimba North, is part of a broader effort to protect children against diseases such as measles, typhoid fever, and polio.
MZIMBA, Malawi — The Ministry of Health conducted a training session for Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in Pherembe, Mzimba district, focusing on the use of vaccination mapping registers, writes Naomi Mseteka.
The initiative, part of the periodic intensification immunization program, aims to improve tracking and immunization rates for children under five years old.
Tobias Matupi, who led the training, emphasized its importance in data collection.
"This training will help HSAs use the vaccination mapping register when collecting data in their catchment areas, which will help us achieve our goal of immunizing children," Matupi said.
Moses Nyirenda, an HSA who participated in the training, expressed appreciation for the new skills acquired.
"I now know how to conduct mapping using the vaccination mapping register when collecting data of children to know if they have been immunized or not in my catchment area, which is Chanjoka," Nyirenda stated.
Lovemore Kabaghe, public relations officer, highlighted the training's role in preparing for the upcoming periodic intensification immunization campaign.
"We are training health surveillance assistants so that they have the knowledge to conduct mapping and vaccination of children who have not been immunized," Kabaghe explained.
The training, conducted across various areas in Mzimba North, is part of a broader effort to protect children against diseases such as measles, typhoid fever, and polio.
By improving data collection and tracking through the vaccination mapping register, health officials aim to identify and reach children who may have missed routine immunizations.
This initiative reflects Malawi's ongoing commitment to strengthening its primary healthcare system and improving child health outcomes through targeted immunization programs.