Inspiring local solution: Mendrika’s Commitment to Ensuring Every Child in Amboanio gets Vitamin A

 In the heart of the village of Amboanio in the southeast of Madagascar,  30-year-old Mendrika stands as a beacon of hope amidst adversity. As a mother of two—a vibrant 6-year-old and a curious 1-year-old—Mendrika’s world revolves around the health and well-being of her children. She is navigating the challenges of student life and says, “I don’t work yet; I’m still a student, and I haven’t found a job yet.” Like many families in her community, Mendrika grapples with economic hardships that make it difficult to provide her children with the care they need. The district’s primary occupation is fishing, but even this is not always enough to guarantee a secure future.

Mendrika, aware of the importance of her children's health, is a diligent mother who regularly visits the basic health center (CSB) for medical consultations. However, despite her efforts, she realizes that she lacks information on essential health services for her child. She then asks herself an important question:

“I want my children to grow up healthy and full of energy, but what should I do to achieve this?” 

UNICEF and its partners supported a human-centered design consultation with communities focused on contextualized problem-solving related to access to health services. This approach aimed to discuss communities' experiences, perspectives, and solutions adapted to the needs of mothers like Mendrika'. During discussions with the community, some participants, including community health workers, raised a key point: Mothers often hesitate to take their children to health centers mainly due to a lack of knowledge and information; persuading individuals without concrete evidence of the benefits is difficult. As part of the local solution identified by the participants, the concept of community health testimony emerged as a tailored approach to enhance the effectiveness of immunization campaigns in Amboanio. While participating in designing a prototype for the immunization awareness campaign at the local health center, Mendrika listened to mothers and health workers sharing their experiences with the essential care needed for young children. She decides to ask the nurse more questions at the local health center. That's when she discovers key information: even though she already makes sure to give her child a balanced diet, he must also receive a vitamin A dose to strengthen his immune system and ensure his healthy growth. In the past, health workers went door to door to inform mothers. In 2024, as part of the integrated immunization approach, thanks to awareness campaigns, mothers are taking the initiative to bring their children to the essential health center to receive the necessary care including Vitamin A uptake.