Adelil, Subprefect and community health champion in Guera

Since 2024, Adelil Doumallah Chogar has served as the SubPrefect of Baro, a town in Chad’s Guéra Province. Beyond his administrative duties, he has taken on a personal mission: raising awareness among families about the importance of vaccination. He actively participates in and organizes information sessions and regularly coordinates meetings with the district health team.

“Administering, like vaccinating, is about prevention. Making sure my population is vaccinated has become my top priority.”

 Adelil Doumallah Chogar.

For Adelil, routine immunization is a cornerstone of public health. It prevents infectious diseases, reduces the risk of outbreaks, and secures a healthier future for children and families. This conviction drives his close collaboration with the Baro district health team—particularly in organizing awareness activities, planning vaccination campaigns, and supporting initiatives such as community feedback mechanisms involving health workers and volunteers.

When families express hesitation or refuse vaccination, Adelil and his team emphasize listening, dialogue, and the active involvement of community leaders.

“We involve traditional and religious leaders so they can relay messages about the importance of vaccination. Their influence is invaluable in convincing families and overcoming reluctance linked to beliefs or traditions.”  

His commitment is making a tangible impact in Baro, where attitudes toward vaccination are steadily shifting. According to community health worker Zakaria Djibrine:

“When the SubPrefect himself comes to speak with families, it changes everything. Parents see that vaccination is not just the responsibility of health workers but a priority for the whole community. His engagement motivates us and helps us persuade the most reluctant.”

Families echo this change. Mariam Adoum, a mother in Baro, shares:

“At first, I had doubts. But when I saw the SubPrefect personally attending the sessions and talking with us, I understood how important it was for our children and our community. Now, I encourage my neighbors to vaccinate their babies until they complete the full immunization schedule.”

Thanks to support from the German Government, through the Sahel Resilience Partnership implemented by UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and GIZ, UNICEF is helping the Government of Chad strengthen its community health systems.

As part of this effort, UNICEF has established in Baro an interoperability system linking maternity services, vaccination, and birth registration—ensuring integrated health monitoring from a child’s earliest days. This system relies on community health workers and Wassaya mothers (counselors) to reach the most vulnerable families, strengthen routine immunization, and give every child a healthier start in life.