Daouda, "Champion of the vaccination against COVID-19" in Guéckédou
Health workers are very involved in the response activities against COVID-19. Strong social mobilization has contributed to improving immunization coverage in this prefecture from 4% in November 2021 to 24% in October 2022.
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On March 12, 2020, Guinea recorded its first case of COVID-19. In coordination with the Guinean government, and with support from the Australian Committee for UNICEF, UNICEF Guinea implemented a pandemic preparedness and response plan. Accelerated immunization campaigns as well as micros plans for routine immunization against COVID-19 were deployed involving community leaders in the country.
Daouda Mara, 55 years old and father of 6 children, lives in Gueckedou in Nzerekore region. He is the Vice-President of the Health and Hygiene Committee of his neighborhood and is very committed to promote the vaccination against COVID-19. Daouda contributed to increase the vaccination coverage in his area. "This is the land of my ancestors, I am known and respected by everyone in this neighborhood. In 2016, I was designated as an intermediary between the health center and the community."
Community leaders are involved in planning and implementing community mobilization activities for promoting immunization and barrier measures. "I participated in the training of community actors organized by UNICEF at the Provincial Health Division on COVID-19, barrier measures, key messages of sensitization and vaccination. I then took advantage of the community fora to pass on messages related to COVID-19, especially those about vaccination." Daouda is known for his effectiveness and influence in solving many refusal cases. "During vaccination campaigns, I am often called by the teams in charge of vaccination deployed in my neighborhood to overcome population's reluctance."
Daouda emphasizes that community work has its challenges. "I am faced with two major challenges, the first is the temporary lack of vaccines at the health center. I am very embarrassed that my fellow citizens go to the center and do not have access to the vaccine because they are not available. The second challenge concerns the vaccination card. I realize that some people who have been vaccinated do not keep their vaccination card. Every day, I do my work with joy and responsibility, and I am convinced that everything will get back to normal."
