Garissa County has launched a cross-border immunization program aimed at increasing access to immunization services amongst cross border nomadic communities.
The community engagement program targeting Hulugho, Fafi and Dadaab sub counties will be rolled out under a partnership between the NGO Women Education & Health for Development (WOHED), UN children’s fund (Unicef) and the County department of health.
Garissa Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Chesut who was the guest described the project as timely due to low immunization rates in the far-flung sub counties.
Chesut said insecurity and the nomadic lifestyle of pastoralists moving from place to place in search of pasture and water remained a challenge to the routine immunization program since some children miss immunization.
The administrator expressed hope that the program will reach the intended target group who had no access to health facilities.
Project coordinator Ahmed Shukri said 8,090 children under one year, 27,248 children under five years, 43,791 women of child-bearing age and more than 32, 000 households are targeted in the program.
Shukri said lack of access to health services, high turnover of staff due to insecurity, closure of health facilities and inadequate stock of essential commodities and supplies rendered the population in the targeted area vulnerable.
He said community groups, civil society, religious and community leaders, opinion shapers and use of public barazas will play a crucial role in the project implementation.
