ABSTRACT
In Thailand, the outbreak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections started on 1 April 2021. From 1 April to 30 November 2021, there have been 2, 087, 009 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 20, 677 deaths. COVID-19 vaccines are one of many crucial tools in the pandemic response and protect against hospitalization and death. With a population of 66.2 million, Thailand had a target of vaccinating 100 million doses by December 2021. As of 30 November 2021, a total of 92, 658, 390 vaccine doses have been administered, with 48, 307, 704 people receiving a first dose (67.1% of the country's population), 41, 485, 442 people receiving a second dose (57.6% of the country's population), and 3, 438, 317 people receiving a third dose (4.8% of the country's population). Village health volunteers and migrant health volunteers are key and play significant role in public trust in COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination administration is a big challenge to make vaccines available for people residing in Thailand on a foundation of ethics, equality, evidence-based academic, accessible supply, and management capability in national context. © TheEditor(s) (ifapplicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021, 2022.
ABSTRACT
Zimbabwe. What we know: The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting movement restrictions have challenged the collection of routine nutrition monitoring data, limiting the ability of countries to identify changes in the nutrition situation. What this article adds: The RapidPro data management system enabled the continuation of routine nutrition data collection in Zimbabwe in the COVID-19 context. A number of indicators were selected for weekly (instead of monthly) reporting in nutritionally vulnerable, drought prone districts. Village health workers (VHWs) and health facility staff were prompted weekly to submit data via the mobile phone short messaging service (SMS) which were automatically collated via RapidPro software and analysed regularly at national level. A national level monitoring and evaluation officer responsible for quality control followed up with districts and health staff if data discrepancies were noted. To date, over 9,146 VHWs provide reports using the RapidPro system;on average, 70% of responses were complete and correct. This system enabled near real-time screening data (Family mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC)) and information on ready-to-use therapeutic feeding (RUTF) supplies that were used by the Nutrition Cluster for decision making and response planning to support continued wasting treatment services. Successful scale-up of RapidPro was as a result of strong government leadership, the inclusion of RapidPro activities in Ministry of Health activity plans and integration with national nutrition reporting systems. In due course, this data will be automated to feed directly into the Demographic Health and Information Survey verion two (DHIS2) data management platform.
ABSTRACT
In May 2020, the Madagascar Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other nutrition partners, together with the IPC Global Support Unit (GSU), leveraged existing technologies to conduct a virtual IPC analysis for acute malnutrition in six drought-prone southern districts in Madagascar. Adaptations made to the IPC methodology for the COVID-19 context featured the inclusion of already trained team members to reduce the length of orientation, utilisation and re-analysis of data collected just prior to lockdown to overcome challenges in data collection and the shifting of meetings from in-person to virtual. A number of assumptions were built into the analysis given the COVID-19 context including the likely negative impact on food systems and access to health services in the post-harvest period. Results of the analysis hypothesised the likely deterioration of the nutrition situation in all six districts beyond August 2020 with two districts being classified as IPC phase 3 or 4. The IPC analysis was largely deemed a success as a result of strong political will and support from nutrition partners and the IPC GSU. However, numerous challenges were noted including a reliance on historical data, a lack of global guidelines on remote facilitation at the time and internet connectivity challenges.
ABSTRACT
In Rwanda, two sub-committees were established within the Nutrition Sector to lead nutrition-related RCCE activities, building on a previous national RCCE strategy developed as part of Ebola preparedness efforts. Nutrition-related RCCE needs were identified through a review of existing data from available government reports and mainstream media and social media reports and in consultation with Nutrition Sector partners through the sub-committees. Related key messages to address myths and misconceptions were subsequently developed. Capacity strengthening and training activities for community health workers leading on RCCE activities were conducted via Zoom, WhatsApp, email and telephonically. Key messages were disseminated through print and electronic media channels as well as via community radio stations. Parliamentarians were also engaged to expand the reach of messages. Measuring the impact of RCCE activities has been challenging although changes in practices were monitored through social media and community-level monitoring systems and the uptake of services was measured through routine indicator tracking. Increases in service uptake were noted and positive behaviour changes were reflected within feedback mechanisms. As a next step, the Government of Rwanda intends to conduct a rapid qualitative and quantitative assessment to further understand the impact of RCCE nutrition-related activities.