Transformative Investment: Invest in the shared responsibility for immunization delivery between communities and the immunization program to reach uniformly high coverage through high demand and quality services.

SUMMARY

Though access and utilization of vaccination services in Ghana has generally been good at 85 to 90% coverage, delay vaccination schedules and high drop-out, as well as low coverages in new vaccines have been observed in some areas (GDHS 2014).

Despite the high recognition for community involvement as one of the most important cause for increasing uptake of health interventions (Martin et al 2017), the records have indicated that community involvement and initiatives is one of the weakest links in achieving the RED and REC strategy in the Ghana immunization program (C-MYP 2015). There is a paucity of well-structured community involvement strategies and models aimed at ensuring shared responsibility for immunization delivery between communities and the immunization program and to reach uniformly high coverage through high demand and quality services in Ghana. We, therefore, propose three (3) transformative investment strategies and their strategic activity plans aimed to harness community and civil support for reaching every eligible child for their required vaccinations.

NEXT STEP

This project will be piloted in two (2) districts namely, North Tongu and Jasikan districts in the Volta region of Ghana. These districts have been selected based on their low coverage in immunization as well as their difficult terrains that hinder service delivery.

There will be a presentation and briefing to the Regional EPI coordinator, the CHPS coordinator and all other relevant stakeholders on these community involvement strategies and its prospect for sustaining commitment for community and civic involvement in immunization programs.

After careful and thorough deliberations on these strategies, this project will receive 2-years piloting and evaluation, and its success stories will be shared and presented for large scale implementation based on recommendations.

LINKAGES

The Ghana Health Services under the MOH is the general body that ensures healthcare delivery at all levels, at the regional level, the regional EPI coordinator and the CHPS coordinator working under the deputy director of public health will be responsible for supporting the coordination of these activities. Their approval will then be followed by the overall acceptance of the project from the regional director of health services for piloting in selected districts.

STAKEHOLDERS

Technical teams from regional EPI unit, health promotion unit, and the CHPS coordinator will be engaged to support the project. Technical advice and support will also be sought from the scholar team at each stage of this proposal and implementation.

Most importantly, the project will seek financial and technical support from the WHO and UNICEF country offices, or any other relevant agencies that will support the piloting of this program.

BUDGET AND TIMELINE

The project will be a two-year (2) pilot program and will require funding for stakeholders’ meetings, training of Health staff, district EPI coordinators and community health actors (community leaders and other facilitators). A detailed activity plan and budget will be prepared after further review and validation with the support of the scholar team and other technical bodies mentioned.

GRISP FINAL PROJECT SUBMITTED_COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ROUTINE EPI_ ISAAC ANNOBIL