Quthing __ In an effort to prepare for improvement of district targeted population coverage in the up coming one-week Measles-Rubella (MR) national Immunization campaign, members of Quthing Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) team undergone a one and half day training on social mobilization until Friday this week.

The training organized by District Health Management Team (DHMT) covered amongst other topics; epidemiology to MR supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) training goals for advocacy, communication and social mobilization, and risk communication and community engagement.

At the event, one of the facilitators who is also the District Environmental Health Officer Mr. Relebohile Kuenene encouraged participants to effectively apply strategies learned to safe lives,  and further emphasized the vital role on RCCE team members in community development and their efforts in building trust, raise awareness and protect children from preventable diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Health Promotion and Social Determinants Officer Mr. Thato Mxakaza said health development partners are committed to support the Ministry of Health' s objectives by providing technical expertise, funding and capacity building to save lives of Basotho.

Mr. Mxakaza who is also a member of national RCCE team further said the district team members are though their skills expected to improve low performance of Quthing during  this coming MR vaccination campaigns,  and encouraged participants to work hand in hand with vaccination teams in the district before, during and after the campaign,  to overcome challenges that contribute to Quthing's low performance.

In an interview one of the participants who is also a member of district RCCE team Chief Toka Letsie expressed gratitude for the training, indicating that it has strengthened their approach in engaging the community for the MR vaccination campaign.

The District Disaster Management Field Officer Mrs. Makabelo Thamae said they have learned a new communication strategy to clearly explain the importance of MR vaccine and motivate community members to take an active role in their children's health.

The immunization campaign scheduled for October 20 to 24, aims to vaccinate 95% percent of children aged 9 months to 4 years and 11 months.  During the MR vaccination campaign, children aged from zero to under five will also be provided with Vitamin A supplemental, polio oral drops and deworming tablets to be given to those aged from one year to under five.