A total of 955,673 children have been vaccinated once morest measles in Ndjamena, the capital, by the international humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in support of the national vaccination program of the Chadian Ministry of Public Health. This mass vaccination campaign took place from January 10 to 21 for children aged 4 months to 16 years.
Measles epidemics are recurrent in Chad where they represent one of the main causes of death among children. Vaccination coverage remains low nationwide and many families, including those living in urban areas, face difficulties accessing pediatric care when their child is sick.
During the year 2022, Chad experienced unprecedented flooding due to heavy rainfall, forcing a significant number of people to leave their homes. In the capital N’Djamena, the flooding of the Chari River thus displaced up to 255,000 people between October and December 2022. Some of them found refuge in the twenty or so camps set up to accommodate the victims, often in conditions unsanitary and overcrowded.
“The lack of access to drinking water and hygiene, as well as overcrowding, further increase the vulnerability of the population,” explains Dr. Jean Patrick OUAMBA, MSF medical coordinator in N’Djamena. “Our initial objective of preventing epidemics by vaccinating the children present in the camps quickly turned into a real mass vaccination campaign in support of the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF”.
Protecting children once morest measles through vaccination, MSF teams also cared for 396 children with symptoms of measles and referred 52 children in critical condition to the dedicated measles care unit supported by MSF. in Gozator Hospital.
To reach as many children as possible and to inform the population regarding measles, its symptoms and the importance of protection through vaccination, health promotion activities have brought together various local associations, community leaders, international organizations , the government and the media. However, the health stakes remain high and much remains to be done to effectively stem epidemics.
Measles, an acute viral infection of the respiratory system, best known for its typical rash made up of small red dots, is considered the most contagious disease in the world. There is no specific treatment for measles as such, the medical management consists essentially of treating the symptoms and preventing and managing the complications. Vaccination is the most important and effective medical tool once morest measles.
Limiting the resurgence of measles epidemics in Chad in the long term will only be possible by improving vaccination coverage throughout the country.
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March 14, 2023 by
