North West: Stakeholders Unite to Kickstart Polio Vaccination Campaign

    Saidouna Ali, Governor's Scribe immortalizes Advocacy Meeting with Family Photo.

In a powerful display of unity and commitment, stakeholders in the North West Region of Cameroon gathered for an advocacy meeting to kick-start the mass vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis. The meeting, held on April 23, 2025, at the North West Regional Delegation of Public Works, brought together administrative authorities, and health officials to discuss the importance of the campaign and the roles each sector would play in its success.

    Saidouna Ali, Secretary General North West Governor's Office.

Representing the Governor of the North West Region, Saidouna Ali, Secretary-General in the North West Governor's office, emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that Cameroon is currently facing an outbreak of the polio virus. He stressed that vaccination is the most efficient means to fight against polio and urged all stakeholders to ensure that every child in the target age group is vaccinated without exception.

    Ambe Leonel, North West Public Health Regional Delegate. 

The Regional Delegate of Public Health, Ambe Leonel, outlined the campaign's objectives and strategy, highlighting that the National Immunization Days against Polio aim to strengthen children's immunity and break the chain of poliovirus circulation. 

    Dr. Cornelius Chebo, Regional Coordinator for the Expanded Program on Immunization.

Dr. Cornelius Chebo, Regional Coordinator for the Expanded Program on Immunization, provided details on the campaign's logistics, stating that health workers would move door-to-door, visiting bus stations, markets, and other gathering places to vaccinate children aged 0 to 5 years.

    Cross Section of Regional Stakeholders and Participants During Advocacy Meeting.

Stakeholders were assigned specific responsibilities to ensure the campaign's success. Administrative authorities are tasked with ensuring proper coordination and safety of campaign inputs and actors. Traditional rulers are expected to sensitize and mobilize communities, ensure security of vaccination teams, and combat misinformation. Religious leaders will disseminate sensitization messages in places of worship and support vaccination teams. The Regional Delegate of Public Health will oversee the proper training of actors, supervision of teams, and prevention of rumors.

The population is also playing a crucial role, with parents urged to present their children aged 0-5 years for vaccination and welcome vaccination teams into their homes. With the campaign set to run from April 24th to 27th, 2025, stakeholders are optimistic about achieving their goal of vaccinating approximately 340,000 children in the North West Region. By working together, they aim to keep polio out of the region and build a healthier future for its children.