Aid in Action
Faith-Based Partners Support Routine Immunization in Indonesia
MCC/IIP partnered with two Muslim faith-based community organizations, Muslimat NU and Aisyiyah, to conduct social mobilization in support of routine immunization.
Sampang, Madura |
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
USAID/MCC
Mothers with babies wait for immunization services at a community health center (posyandu) in Sampang, Madura.
After 10 years without a reported incident, a wild polio virus hit Indonesia with a vengeance in 2005. Especially hard hit with 53 new polio cases was the conservative Muslim community on the island of Madura in East Java (15% of all cases in Indonesia and 93% of all cases in East Java). Tellingly, outbreaks of diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and measles continued during this time despite reported routine immunization coverage rates above 90 percent for these preventable diseases.
The four districts of Madura Island were identified by Indonesia’s National Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) for support under the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Indonesia Immunization Project (MCC/IIP). MCC/IIP pursued two primary goals on Madura Island: first, improving reported immunization coverage data quality and, second, implementing social mobilization activities to promote routine immunization. District Health Officials and Puskesmas staff were trained to use the local area monitoring tool for improved data-based decision making. MCC/IIP partnered with two Muslim faith-based community organizations, Muslimat NU and Aisyiyah, to conduct social mobilization in support of routine immunization. Some communities expressed concerns about vaccines being developed using pork derivatives. Muslim elders confirmed that vaccines were “halal”, using Friday prayers and loudspeakers at the Mosques to encourage families to immunize their children. A mass media campaign was launched to inform and educate the public about the benefits of proper immunization.
The four districts in Madura have met their routine immunization targets for DPT3, measles and polio this year. Furthermore, reported cases of diphtheria and measles have been reduced significantly in the past two years. District leaders have committed funds to continue support for immunization activities beyond the life of the project reflecting Indonesia’s commitment to improve the health of its children and give hope for more prosperous lives.