Visionary Reports

Health stakeholders in the Littoral Region convened on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Governor’s office auditorium for their annual inter-agency meeting. The gathering aimed to evaluate the region’s progress in its vaccination efforts, identify challenges, and strategize for improved health outcomes in the coming year.The meeting was chaired by Saurel Mebe Ngo’o, the Littoral Regional Delegate of Public Health, alongside Madame Bayiha Francois, representing the Governor. Discussions were characterized by frankness and sincerity, reflecting the critical nature of the agenda.However,Leonard Ewane, the regional immunization coordinator, reported notable progress in 2024 compared to the previous year, despite some setbacks. He emphasized that these regional meetings serve as crucial decision-making platforms to monitor program advancements, pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, and implement corrective actions to boost vaccination coverage.

We ended the year with a vaccination coverage of around 75%,” Ewane stated, acknowledging that this figure fell slightly below the 80% target. He attributed this shortfall to calendar conflicts with healthcare agencies and insufficient funding, which hampered the implementation of all planned activities.Despite these challenges, Ewane highlighted a significant improvement in the quality of vaccination campaigns. He noted a substantial increase in “health decisions accepted” in the Lot Quality Assessment Sampling (LQAS) survey—an internationally recognized metric for vaccine campaign quality. “At the beginning of last year, we had only six health decisions that were accepted in the survey, but during the last campaign of the last trimester of 2024, we had up to 12, practically twice as many,” he explained.The meeting also served to validate the 2025 Action Plan for the Regional Coordination of the Vaccination Energy Programme and review the 2024 Activity Report, which will serve as the foundation for 2025 initiatives.A major focus for 2025 is to exceed the previous year’s quality scores in vaccination surveys, with a target of 24 accepted health decisions. Ewane stressed the importance of these survey results, as they are considered at the international level.A critical upcoming event is the Mother and Child Health and Nutrition Action Week, coupled with Round 2 of the National Immunization Days against Poliomyelitis, scheduled from May 29 to June 1, 2025. This second phase follows the first, which took place from April 24 to 27, 2025.Beyond polio vaccination, this campaign will also incorporate other vital interventions:* Vitamin A supplementation for children aged one to five years, crucial for vision and immune system strengthening.* Preventive and intermittent treatment against malaria for pregnant women after their third trimester (above 13 weeks of pregnancy).* Catch-up vaccinations for children who missed their routine immunization appointments.Strengthening disease surveillance,Ewane emphasized that the primary challenge moving forward lies in addressing the “Most of our problems lie at the level of demand,” he admitted, referring to parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children. A key objective for 2025 is to enhance communication strategies to ensure parents receive accurate information and encourage both campaign and routine immunization.In light of the upcoming campaigns and the resolve to achieve higher vaccination coverage, stakeholders have pledged to redouble their efforts to ensure the Littoral region meets its targets and safeguards the well-being of its children and pregnant women.

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