Breaking Barriers
A Mother’s Journey to Embracing Child Health Services
CHIPATA, Eastern province, Zambia, June 2025 --- Stonia Tembo, 48-year-old and a mother of four, lives just 300 meters from Madzimawe Rural Health Centre. However, for quite some time, she refused to visit the health centre with her youngest child. Four-year old Jackson is now a lively boy whose health journey has gone through ups and downs in the past.
For the first four years of his life, Jackson missed out on critical childhood health services due to deeply rooted misconceptions held by his mother. Despite practicing good hygiene, such as keeping her borehole clean and maintaining a tidy home environment, Stonia had firmly resisted calls from health workers to have her son vaccinated. Influenced by religious beliefs, she feared that vaccinations would alienate her child from their faith and even expose him to physical harm.
Health workers from Madzimawe Rural Health Centre made several door-to-door visits, while her husband, Lameck Tembo, sought the support of traditional leaders to change her mind. He even invited health professionals to speak directly with her about the importance of routine immunization. However, Stonia remained unconvinced and declined all routine under-five services, including immunizations, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, growth monitoring, malnutrition screening and caregiver health education, even though all were provided free of charge.
It was not until Jackson fell seriously ill with a high fever that a turning point occurred. In a moment of fear and urgency, Stonia brought him to Madzimawe Rural Health Centre, where he was promptly attended to by HIV Registered Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Phiri. Thanks to swift and compassionate care, Jackson recovered within a few days.
Seeing her son’s health restored through professional medical intervention had a profound impact on Stonia.
I will ensure that Jackson receives all his vaccinations. I encourage all mothers with children under five not to be afraid. Take your children for vaccinations - because vaccinations save lives.
In June 2025 Zambia commemorated Child Health Week, which this year held particular significance, as it formed part of Zambia’s national "Big Catch-Up" campaign - an urgent effort to identify and reach children who had missed out on routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative specifically targeted zero-dose children - those who had never received a single dose of essential vaccines, like Jackson. Through intensified outreach, community mobilization and health service delivery, the campaign aimed to close immunization gaps, restore essential services, and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
She was the only mother in the village who had not brought her child to the clinic. I’m glad her mindset has shifted. Her testimony can inspire other mothers to trust in the health system and seek services for their children.
Today, Stonia stands as a powerful advocate within her community. Her journey is a testament to the importance of sustained community outreach, health education and the dedication of frontline health workers.
Child Health Week, commemorated twice a year by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, plays a vital role in promoting child health and well-being. It offers children like Jackson a second chance and empowers caregivers with knowledge and access to lifesaving services.
UNICEF Zambia is grateful to its partners and donors, including GAVI the Vaccine Alliance, and other global and local stakeholders, whose continued support contributes to the realization of initiatives like Child Health Week, ensuring that no child is left behind.
The efforts in Madzimawe village and beyond reflect Zambia’s commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of past missed opportunities, is given a chance at a healthy start in life.
