Pan-African Forum Promotes Role of Local Community in Child Health

At the Pan-African Forum, over 200 delegates shared their diverse experiences on immunisation and child survival – from the perspective of Muslim communities, Christian communities, and traditional communities across Africa. Delegates heard presentations on immunisation trends and polio eradication by UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) health experts and took part in discussing subjects such as HIV/AIDS.

Interfaith, peace, and media consultative working groups were conducted, leading toward a joint call to action promoting a grass-roots partnership in immunisation and child survival. The representatives explored how their different influences in hard-to-reach communities can boost immunisation rates and support child survival efforts in Africa.

“Immunisation and child survival rates across Africa have faltered in the past decade, according to the UNICEF country data, Progress for Children report. Of the nearly 11 million children who die each year under the age of five, 42% are in sub-Saharan Africa.”

UNICEF and Religions for Peace believe that the media should help people make informed decisions, and that they have an irreplaceable role to play in creating demand for live-saving health care for children.