M. Idrissa Abou, Secrétaire Général de la région de Zinder, presided over a meeting on Tuesday, July 7, to evaluate a recent campaign. This meeting served as an evaluation for the national campaign focused on Vitamin A supplementation and Albendazole deworming efforts, which achieved a 75.03% coverage rate for Albendazole deworming. M. Idrissa Abou stated that vitamin A deficiency "demeure un problème majeur de santé publique dans notre pays, avec comme conséquences les troubles de la vision et la baisse des défenses immunitaires." He added that vitamin A supplementation is a vital intervention to reduce morbidity, malnutrition, and mortality risks in children aged 6 to 59 months. According to M. Idrissa Abou, the World Health Organization recommends supplementing children aged 6 to 59 months with Vitamin A and deworming those aged 12 to 59 months with Albendazole every six months "pour renforcer l’immunité des enfants et leur permettre un développement harmonieux."
Campaign Objectives and Context
The campaign's general objective is to contribute to the reduction of mortality and morbidity among children aged 6 to 59 months. A specific objective aims to supplement 100% of children within the 6 to 59 months age group with Vitamin A. Another specific objective targets deworming at least 70% of children aged 12 to 59 months with Albendazole. A specific objective of the campaign is to elevate parents' information level regarding local Vitamin A-rich foods to more than 90%. Vitamin A deficiency is recognized as a major public health problem in the country, leading to vision problems and reduced immunity. This deficiency, if unaddressed, can have severe consequences for child development and survival. The World Health Organization (WHO) consistently recommends supplementing children aged 6 to 59 months with Vitamin A and deworming children aged 12 to 59 months with Albendazole every six months. These recommendations are key for bolstering children's immune systems and ensuring their healthy development. The campaign's design directly aligns with these international health guidelines, aiming for full coverage and impact.
Implementation and Results
The Vitamin A supplementation campaign recorded an impressive coverage rate of 97.41% across the Zinder region. This effort built upon previous campaigns, demonstrating a sustained commitment to public health. Health teams, with key support from community relays and local authorities, conducted extensive awareness, social mobilization, and administration activities. These concerted efforts were central to effectively reaching the target population across various communities within the region. The full evaluation workshop for the campaign took place from July 2 to July 5, 2026, within the Zinder region. This multi-day workshop provided a vital forum to thoroughly assess the implementation strategies, review operational aspects, and analyze the outcomes of the campaign. The high coverage rates for both Vitamin A supplementation and Albendazole deworming were key findings from this detailed evaluation, showing the effectiveness of the integrated approach. The full approach involving various stakeholders, from medical professionals to local leaders and community volunteers, was critical in achieving the reported figures and ensuring broad participation. The workshops spanned several days to allow for detailed review of the operational aspects and data collected during the campaign, ensuring a strong assessment of its success and identifying areas for future improvement.
Commitment and Appreciation
The meeting served as an evaluation for the national campaign focused on Vitamin A supplementation and Albendazole deworming efforts. The campaign's results demonstrate the unwavering commitment of the country's highest authorities, including President Abdourahamane Tiani, to the health and well-being of its youngest citizens. This high-level support is instrumental in facilitating such broad-reaching public health initiatives. Dr. Farouk Manzo, the Regional Director of Public Health and Hygiene, expressed profound gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the campaign. His appreciation extended to the health teams, community relays, local authorities, and international partners whose collaborative efforts were essential for the successful execution and positive outcomes of this vital public health intervention. The collective dedication showcased during this campaign sets a strong precedent for future health programs in the region.