Just and compassionate quality pharmaceutical services for ALL

Pandemic preparedness and emergency response still remain an area of concern as the percentage of African countries advocating for vaccine uptake remain low. EPN as a faith-based health organisation is still in need of resources to prepare health facilities in response to future epidemics. The most in need countries are West Africa and Francophone Africa and there is a continuous need for interventions in the fight against infectious diseases.

Project countries: Burundi (Core Country), Cameroon, DRC, Niger, Sierra Leone

Funded by Difaem, this project ran from 2021 to its conclusion at the Joint Learning Forum on 9th February 2023. Its main objective was to increase vaccination uptake by leveraging the influential voices of church leaders and healthcare professionals within the church health system.

Recognizing the critical role of religious leaders in shaping community perceptions, the project engaged them as key advocates to counter myths and misinformation surrounding vaccines. In addition to advocacy, the initiative focused on training healthcare workers, raising public awareness, and disseminating accurate, trustworthy information to promote informed decision-making within communities.

Key Achievements:

  1. Successful training of healthcare workers on COVID-19 vaccination through both physical sessions and virtual training on EPN’s online platform
  2. Development and upload of IEC materials on the website for easy access by EPN members
  3. Dissemination of the “Call to Action” by 34 organisations at national, regional, and global levels
  4. Initiation of advocacy strategy development in various CHAs, fostering relationships with media and communities
  5. The Joint Learning Forum provided a platform to discuss advocacy initiatives inspired by the Call to Action, and how their implementation has positively impacted health systems and congregations
  6. Advocacy involves building and strengthening partnerships. AACC, ACHAP and EPN coming together sent a strong message that we can be united in addressing global challenges affecting our church health systems.
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