Over the past few weeks, Hope Through Health (HTH) has been working to support the Togolese Ministry of Health and other NGOs in the planning of prevention and treatment activities to address a meningitis outbreak that began in early February. Today, the meningitis vaccine reached the Kozah District (where HTH works) for the first time and thousands of young people ages 2-25 years in our partner communities are being vaccinated.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, which can damage nerves and the brain. It is a fatal yet preventable and treatable disease (www.nhs.uk). Togo is part of the Meningitis Belt, the area of sub-Saharan Africa where meningitis epidemics are most prevalent. In the past month and a half the epidemic has grown to 500 confirmed cases and 30 victims (www.republicoftogo.com), starting in the northern regions of the country and spreading south.
HTH’s Community Health Workers have been solicited by our public sector partners to help inform communities about the availability of the free vaccine, and other prevention methods for those outside of the vaccination age range. The mobilization we’ve seen in the first day of the five-day campaign shows us just how successful a community-based approach can be in spreading awareness and influencing health behaviors.
Hope Through Health envisions a day where quality healthcare is available to all, regardless of the longitude and latitude of your birthplace. This includes the elimination of the meningitis belt. We are proud to be partnering with the Togolese Ministry of Health in their ongoing efforts to curb the current outbreak in Togo.