Updates on Current Epidemics

Strengthening Community-Based Tracking (CBT) for Immunization

Value Health Africa joined local CSOs, government health officials, and global partners in Limbe for a two-day In-Country Dissemination and Simulation Workshop organized by the Empower Women Foundation (EWF) and the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC).

📰 CBT Dissemination & Simulation Workshop – Cameroon
📅 June 18–19, 2025 | 📍 Limbe, Cameroon

This workshop marked a major milestone for the Community-Based Monitoring and Tracking (COMBAT) Project, promoting the use of community-generated data to enhance immunization services across Cameroon and other partner countries.

🎯 Workshop Objectives

  • ✅ Validate COMBAT project findings from Cameroon
  • 📘 Review and improve the CBT Implementation Guide
  • 🤝 Build stronger collaboration between CSOs and EPI programs
  • 📣 Design a national dissemination and scale-up strategy

👥 Who Was There?

  • 12 local health-focused CSO representatives
  • EPI officials from the South-West Region
  • National CSOs (CBCHS, PROVARESC)
  • WHO & UNICEF representatives
  • IVAC team, led by Dr. Chizoba Wonodi
  • Empower Women Foundation facilitators
  • Country Program Managers (CPMs)

📚 Day-by-Day Highlights

🗓️ Day 1: June 18

  • Warm welcome and official opening by the Regional Delegate of Public Health
  • Icebreaker: Sharing community-level experiences using CBT
  • Overview of the EPI program in Cameroon and COMBAT project goals
  • CBT simulation: Demonstrating how CSOs can track immunization dropouts
  • Presentation of COMBAT data:
    • Gaps in CSO involvement in national data systems
    • Need for stronger community-health system trust

🗓️ Day 2: June 19

  • Group validation of COMBAT findings
  • Review of the CBT Guide: Feedback included:
    • ✍️ Simplify language
    • 📊 Add visuals and case studies
    • 🌍 Translate into local languages
  • Panel discussion: Data, accountability, and caregiver engagement
  • Questions on integrating CBT into DHIS2 and sustaining CSO participation

✅ Key Outcomes

  • Validated findings: COMBAT data reflects on-the-ground realities
  • Improved tools: Concrete suggestions to refine the CBT Guide
  • Increased collaboration: Commitment from CSOs & EPI officials to integrate CBT
  • Dissemination roadmap: Clear steps for national scale-up

📌 Recommendations

  1. Revise and translate CBT Guide
  2. Formalize CSO–EPI collaboration on CBT
  3. Disseminate findings via health sector platforms
  4. Conduct follow-up capacity-building workshops
  5. Track impact to guide future scale-up

💬 Our Commitment

Value Health Africa remains dedicated to advancing community-led data use and accountability in health systems. We look forward to scaling CBT efforts with partners across Cameroon and beyond

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