By Insight Post Uganda
Masaka, Uganda
On the 5th of May this year, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced that the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which had been a public health emergency, should now be treated similarly to other diseases.
However, as the relentless grip of the ongoing pandemic continues to disrupt various communities in Southwestern Uganda, the Masaka Disabled Persons With HIV/AIDS (MDPWH) organization has taken a pioneering step, initiating an innovative door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination campaign across the vast expanse of the Region.
This innovative campaign is a sign of inclusivity, casting its protective net over the most vulnerable members of the community. Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) of all categories, along with those carrying invisible disabilities, have found a haven in this initiative.
Sadly, these groups had been involuntarily overlooked in previous vaccination endeavours across districts such as Masaka, Kalungu, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, and Rakai. Still, those requiring booster doses find themselves covered in this campaign.
In collaboration with healthcare professionals from diverse government health facilities, the campaign is unwavering in its mission to prevail over the barriers that have hindered accessibility and inclusivity. The main objective is to ensure that individuals with disabilities are no longer marginalised in the battle against the pandemic.
These unsung heroes have accepted that disability is more than what you can see at first glance. By doing this, they are changing the way healthcare works for some of the most at-risk people in society. The vaccination effort will begin in the upcoming month of August.
Richard Musisi, the Executive Director of MADIPHA, reports a significant accomplishment during the initial vaccination phase from November 2022 to April 2023.
A total of 875 PWDs were successfully immunized. However, it became glaringly apparent that a substantial number of PWDs were excluded from vaccination centres due to varied obstacles, most prominently, mobility challenges and the absence of reasonable accommodations.
This catalyzes the second phase of the vaccination campaign second campaign launched Thursday and aims to target an additional 500 PWDs.
“The primary objective of this second phase is to ensure that those who were previously left out can now get the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, addressing the barriers they faced and promoting a more inclusive and accessible vaccination process for all individuals with disabilities,” Musisi explains.
To ensure a comprehensive and inclusive vaccination effort, the campaign has devised a door-to-door approach. The process will commence with dedicated peer monitors diligently identifying PWDs and their caretakers who were not previously vaccinated during the initial phases.
Thereafter, the government health workers will embark on home visits to reach these individuals directly. By bringing the vaccines to their doorstep, this initiative aims to overcome mobility challenges and other barriers that may have hindered their access to communal vaccination centres.
“The campaign aims to ensure that no one is left behind, achieved through the joint collaboration of peer monitors and health workers. We want to ensure that every eligible PWD receives the necessary protection against COVID-19,” he noted.
Rehema Nabbanja, the MADIPHA Board Secretary, maintains that their concerted effort reflects the commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities plus ensuring they receive the necessary protection against COVID-19 during these vaccination campaigns.
“We are thankful to a group of compassionate health workers has emerged, equipped with a new understanding of inclusivity that seeks to leave no one behind,” she noted.
According to Nabbanja, the journey to creating an inclusive healthcare environment began with an awakening and acknowledgement that disability is a multifaceted concept, encompassing a spectrum of the seen and unseen challenges.
As a united force, they have first embarked on a mission to expand their knowledge beyond the visible, delving into the intricacies of invisible disabilities, ranging from chronic pain conditions and cognitive impairments to sensory sensitivities and mental health disorders.
“Nevertheless, during the previous vaccination campaign, we encountered parents who intentionally chose not to vaccinate their children with disabilities.
This decision was influenced by the fear spread through a persistent infodemic, misinformation, and disinformation but we have conducted awareness campaigns to avoid similar incidents,” she states.
According to Jude Muleke, the Buddu County Chief (Pokino), working with the government health workers and other stakeholders is a relevant move to reach out to all the vulnerable communities not only the PWDs.
Through specialised workshops and interactive sessions, Muleke highlights, health workers are meant to delve into the challenges faced by people with invisible disabilities, dispelling misconceptions and fostering understanding.
“These sessions were not merely lectures but were transformative experiences that changed perceptions and sparked a collective commitment to inclusivity,” he says.
By working together, she explains, they could ensure that all Covid-19 health-related services were accessible to people with disabilities across various areas of the community.
Health Officials
According to Dr. Happy Tukirinawe, the Rakai Hospital Medical Superintendent, the vaccines are currently accessible and they are ready to support the door-to-door vaccination campaign underway.
Although COVID-19 still exists, it is no longer considered a significant public health threat by the World Health Organization but is still of great public concern and treated like any other serious disease.
“The available vaccines include those from Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, which require only one dose for complete vaccination. We are optimistic about the campaign’s success, as they have seen positive testimonies from vaccinated individuals that can motivate others to accept vaccination,” he says.
However, Kalungu District Health Department has pledged support to the campaign to reach all PWDs and vulnerable people for vaccination.
According to Dr. Musa Dhabuliwo, the Assistant District Health Officer for Kalungu, there are still challenges in getting everyone vaccinated and more awareness is needed to have a successful campaign.
A major obstacle is that many people remain unvaccinated due to a lack of transportation to vaccination centres. “In the campaign’s collaborative efforts, peer monitors and health workers unite, determined to leave no one behind, echoing the past lessons of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, where transportation barriers hindered access to treatment and prevention services,” he noted.
Dhabuliwo explains that the district faces a funding shortfall, hindering the initiation and execution of the door-to-door vaccination campaign. As a result, a significant number of vulnerable individuals are being left out of the vaccination efforts.
Socio-Economic impact
Alex Muwonge, the Project Officer-MADIPHA, highlights a concerning issue where some parents tend to hide their children from vaccination campaigns. This unfortunate practice deprives these children of their right to good health, which, in turn, negatively impacts their social and economic well-being.
However, he elaborates that the primary objective of the campaign is to bolster the confidence of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in various aspects of life.
“The campaign seeks to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) by fostering confidence in their daily activities, enhancing job prospects, and promoting active participation in diverse economic endeavours,” he states.
Still, vaccinating PWDs can potentially facilitate their inclusion in the workforce or help them retain employment by reducing the fear of contracting the virus at the workplace.
Peer Monitor
Juliet Nalubwama Mabike, a Peer Leader in Kalungu, shares that they have taken proactive steps by mapping several households to receive the door-to-door vaccination service. Despite this commendable effort, she emphasizes the pressing need for increased awareness about vaccines.
Mabike points out that a significant number of people, including the elite, hold varying perceptions about vaccines, which may hinder their willingness to participate in the vaccination campaign.
Her statement underscores the importance of comprehensive and targeted communication efforts to address misconceptions and concerns surrounding COVID-19 vaccines.
By fostering a better understanding of the vaccines’ safety and efficacy, Mabike adds, the campaign can effectively build trust and encourage broader participation in the door-to-door vaccination drive, ensuring that every member of the community, regardless of their background, can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
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