Independent Monitoring Board - Global Polio Eradication Initiative

ChadThe situation in Chad is somewhat different from that in the other persistentlyaffected countries. The challenge is not concentrated in any one geographic area. Itis mainly a national, dispersed challenge.One area on which it does make sense to focus is the province of Logone Orientalein the south of the country, bordering the Central African Republic and Cameroon.In 2011, this province had 58 cases of polio; nearly half of the country’s total. Mostof these were in the district of Bebedjia. In 2012, the province’s two cases haveboth been in Bessao. This district sits on a well-established migration route, so itspopulation fluctuates considerably over time.AT A GLANCETransmission in Chad tendsto be country-wide though in2011, Logone Orientale hadmore cases than any otherprovinceThe Programme has been successful in improving vaccination campaigns in LogoneOrientale. They are missing fewer children than they were six months ago. Reasonsfor refusal have been systematically identified and tackled.The country has beensystematic in finding missedchildren in Logone OrientaleThe Programme has also identified the importance of nomads. Two of the country’sthree polio cases in 2012 have been amongst this small minority group. Data showthat children in nomadic families are twice as likely as others to have had absolutelyno doses of polio vaccine. The vaccination campaigns of March and April 2012 haveinvolved focused effort to reach nomadic children. We commend the Programme’scollaboration with the Ministry of Livestock, to identify and reach nomadic settlements.Noting that they are oftenmissed, Chad is strengtheningits focus on nomadic childrenOur February 2012 report highlighted the vulnerability of scattered islandcommunities in Lake Chad, bordering on Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. We wereheartened to hear that the President of Chad has made available helicopters to helpreach these communities during vaccination campaigns.Smallpox would not have beeneradicated without helicopters30Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Every Missed Child