EPI Support Program in the Remote Char Areas

Since the introduction of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1979, Bangladesh has made impressive strides in reducing child death and morbidity due to vaccine-preventable diseases namely polio, pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis and measles. These initiatives have prevented thousands of deaths annually. However, logistic limitations have prevented the program from realizing its ultimate goal of 100% coverage in hard to reach areas. One such disadvantaged group is the char populace, isolated from the mainland by vast and unpredictable rivers.

The Government of Bangladesh and Friendship, with assistance from Crucell will strive to overcome its logistic limitations to better serve the remote char communities. The Crucell -Friendship EPI Support Program in the Remote Char Areas will provide assistance to the government through provision of transportation, such as boats, and allocation of trained staff who can accompany the government in providing EPI services. Friendship will assist existing government immunization centers to become fully functional and to reach maximum potential coverage by ensuring availability of skilled manpower, logistics, vaccines and proper transportation to access the hard to reach areas; that is, Friendship will provide required assistance in logistics whenever the government faces any limitations. The program, in addition to assisting the government through logistic support, also aims to increase acceptance and awareness of the government’s EPI program through different awareness building activities and to reinforce positive attitude toward immunizations in communities as well as in service providers through communication and training. Furthermore, Friendship will utilize Friendship Community Medics (FCM) for mobilization of children of one year and below through household visits, community meetings and behavioral change communication (BCC) in satellite clinics.

To make this project possible, a formal inauguration and joint planning workshop was held in Gaibandha on 17th May, 2010. The meeting was attended by Dr. Md Abdul Jalil Mondol, (Deputy Director, EPI & Surveillance and Program Manager, CH & LCC, DGHS) as the chief guest. It was also attended by Dr. Md Rafiqul Islam, Civil Sergeant, Gaibandha and Dr. Md Ferdous Hossain, Deputy Director, Family Planning, Gaibandha, Muhammad Ehsanul Haque, Director Operations of Friendship and other upazilla and field level officers. The group was also taken to Satarkandi Char to inaugurate and attend an EPI Center jointly organized by Friendship and the Government of Bangladesh.

UNICEF and WHO has also acknowledged that this program is beneficial to both the service provider and the char communities.