In the Haut-Lomami province, a group of vaccinators led by Héritier is preparing to begin a crucial mission. Their objective: to reach children living in isolated areas, often forgotten by the health system. On this day, they must travel kilometers on the turbulent rivers that wind through the region, a journey made possible by the special strategy put in place by the Minister of Health and the Basic Immunization Program (EPI), with the support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation BMGF.
“Every time we go on a mission, we know that we are not just vaccinating. We bring hope,” explains Héritier, vaccinator. In his team, passionate men and women are preparing with vaccination kits, medical equipment and a spirit of solidarity. They know that the children they will meet often do not have access to basic care.
The first stop is Kinkondja, an islet located more than 700 km away and at least 6 hours by canoe, where families live in precarious conditions, without access to basic services or even a health center. Here, residents depend on rivers for living and transportation. The team of vaccinators arrives on an islet, welcomed by an enthusiastic community. “We have been waiting for your arrival for two days”, declares Marie, mother of four children. “It is the only way to vaccinate our children, and we have understood, thanks to awareness, that the vaccine saves the lives of our children”.
Marie says her two-year-old son suffered from fever for days. Unable to get to a health center in time, she was afraid of losing her child. “Thanks to your visit, I am reassured. My children will be able to be vaccinated against dangerous diseases”, she adds, singing the joyful welcome song in Kiluba, a local language.
The vaccinators quickly get to work. As the children gather, Héritier explains the importance of vaccines. “Each injection protects against preventable diseases like polio. Your health and that of your children is our priority.” Curious children listen attentively, while grateful mothers look on hopefully.
Over the next four days, the team crossed various islets, navigating sometimes raging rivers. Their courage and determination are evident. In one of the villages, they meet Paul, a father who explains: “We have never seen a doctor here. We live in fear of an epidemic. When she arrives, it takes us hours to reach the nearest health center.”
The team vaccinated nearly 300 children in four days, but each vaccine is not just a number. It is a promise of protection. “What we do here is more than just a job. This is our commitment to these families,” says Claudine, one of the vaccinators.
On the last day of their mission, at sunset, they gather with the families for a closing ceremony in the village chief’s house. The parents express their gratitude. “You saved lives here. You are our heroes,” declares Marie, moved. The feeling of accomplishment is palpable in the air.
Dr. Barclay Kadiebwe, MD, is responsible for PATH’s polio program and routine immunization. “The river strategy is essential to reach the most isolated communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It allows us to overcome the geographic and logistical barriers that make access to vaccination services extremely difficult. Thanks to generous funding from the BMGF Foundation, we have been able to deploy teams of vaccinators to areas where children have not had access to healthcare for years.”
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in a polio epidemic for several years, with cases reported in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the DRC recorded an increase in polio cases, particularly in specific regions, a disease that can have serious consequences devastating to children’s health. “Each case of polio represents not only individual suffering, but also a risk to public health. By vaccinating children in these remote areas, we are breaking the chain of transmission and protecting future generations.”.
Dr Barclay also highlights the importance of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI): “This program is essential to ensure that every child, wherever they live, has access to the necessary vaccines. Through our combined efforts, we hope to significantly reduce the incidence of polio and other preventable diseases.”.
By Yves Ndjadi, PATH Communications Manager, seconded to the Expanded Vaccination Program
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