The workshop, which started on September 30, 2026, aims to strengthen the technical capacities of teams on EVP-related issues. Organized with the technical support of the central health administration and funding from NGO VillageReach, the workshop brings together heads of EVP antennas, managers of certain health zones, and field providers. According to Dr. Generose Matunda Sumaili, an EVP agent from Kinshasa, the workshop is a response to the low routine vaccination coverage in Maniema province.
Dr. Sumaili noted that there is a need to enhance the technical capacities of these teams. The objective is to enable participants to share acquired knowledge with their teams at various health structures. In turn, they will train nurses, their assistants, and midwives to strengthen competencies at the grassroots level and contribute to improving vaccination coverage. The workshop will also enable participants to identify challenges and develop strategies to address them.
The participants have welcomed the initiative, saying it will help improve vaccination coverage in the province. Dr. Kalyongo Pataule, the medical chief of the Alunguli health zone, expressed satisfaction with the teachings received. He encouraged other participants to capitalize on the acquired knowledge and put it into practice in their health zones. "This matter must serve to improve vaccination coverage," he emphasized.
According to Nicolas, the focal point of VillageReach, the situation of routine vaccination in Maniema remains concerning. The province is classified as a red zone in terms of routine vaccination coverage. The central level has decided to organize this capacity-building session with financial support from VillageReach. The goal is to improve the performance of health teams and, ultimately, increase vaccination coverage in the province.
Over 100 participants are taking part in the workshop, being held at the Espace Shadari hotel in Kindu. The workshop will enable participants to share experiences and best practices in vaccination. They will also learn about new strategies and technologies to improve vaccination coverage. The participants will develop a plan to implement the acquired knowledge in their respective health zones.
The workshop is expected to contribute to improving the health of the population in Maniema province. The province has been facing challenges in vaccination coverage, which has led to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The EVP aims to increase vaccination coverage and reduce the incidence of these diseases. The workshop is a step towards achieving this goal.
The workshop will end with a wrap-up session where participants will present their plans to implement the acquired knowledge. The plans will be reviewed and approved by the relevant authorities. The implementation of the plans is expected to start soon, with support from VillageReach and the central health administration.
Key points
- The workshop aims to improve vaccination coverage in Maniema province by strengthening the technical capacities of health teams.
- The province has been classified as a red zone in terms of routine vaccination coverage.
- Over 100 participants are taking part in the workshop, which is being held at the Espace Shadari hotel in Kindu.
