In Anjouan, we provided direct support to improve case management in two cholera treatment centres integrated in the hospitals in Hombo and Domoni and two cholera treatment units in Pomoni and Mremani. We also supervised and provided trainings at oral rehydration points spread across the island. In Moheli, our teams worked to improve patient management and reinforce sanitation and hygiene activities.
In addition to efficiently treating cases of cholera, one pillar of the response was prevention. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, our teams launched a mass vaccination campaign targeting all Comorians, with the aim of developing collective immunity and preventing the spread of cholera.
Building trust with community members
“In any type of epidemic, the community plays a key role,” says Frédéric Lai Manantsoa, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Comoros. “It is the cornerstone of the fight against the spread of the disease. Therefore, it is essential to involve them in the campaign, particularly in raising awareness. However, we had to face up to a major challenge: the communities’ denial of the existence of the disease.”
A large proportion of the Comorian community did not believe that the disease existed, and because the oral vaccine, Euvichol-plus, was little known, its acceptance was not without difficulties. Our teams engaged with communities on numerous rumours.
For example, some people feared the vaccine’s side-effects, claiming that the vaccine encouraged people to contract cholera. Community involvement and mobilisation played a major role in encouraging people to be vaccinated.
“One example of collaboration with community and religious leaders is the imams, who have been raising awareness among people every Friday,” says Lai Manantsoa. “This strategy greatly helped to achieve our objectives.”
Fonte original msf.org
