LIONS MRI ACTION PLAN

UNDERSTAND THE INITIATIVE

1. Lions role is limited to Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization Implementation Plan.
2. Stake Holders are: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, USAID and Red Cross.
3. The Initiative is based on the Global Measles Rubella Strategic Plan 2012 to 2020.
4. The Integrated Measles Rubella vaccination will be carried out in the last week of September 2014 and will target children aged 9 months to under fifteen years. 
5. The diseases that we need to contain are life threatening. Over 490 children die daily globally.

THE DISEASE

THE SCHEDULED PLAN

1. STAKE HOLDERS MEETING MEANT TO HAVE A COMMON UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ALL PARTIES WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST. 
2. ACSM TEAM MEETINGS HAS BEEN HELD WEEKLY IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE DUTIES AND ACTION PLAN. 
3. LIONS ORIENTATION WAS HELD ON 17TH SEPTEMBER. 
4. MR CAMPAIGN WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM 1ST TO 6TH SEPTEMBER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. 
5. MR LAUNCH WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN DODOMA ON 24TH SEPTEMBER BY PRESIDENT KIKWETE. 
6. MR VACCINATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM 24TH TO 30TH SEPTEMBER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AT OVER 13,600 CENTRES IN 173 DISTRICTS OF TANZANIA.

ACTION PLAN

 Orientation meeting was planned to explain to Lions on:

• —What Measles and Rubella Diseases are. 
• —Government plans on enabling vaccination throughout the country. 
• —Explain the Theme (Kauli Mbiu): LINDA, OKOA MAISHA ZUIA ULEMAVU -KAMILISHA CHANJO 
• —Lions sensitization and understanding of the subject matter. 

Lions at Club Level need to carry out as follows: 

• —Call meeting and get commitment from members. 
• —Select Convenors at Club Level who will report to the Project Convenor. 
• —Identify a Health Centre in your area where all Lions can jointly work together.
• —Invite prominent leader to officiate 
• —Put up your Banner during the Activity. 

Organise to create awareness through campaign in your region and area. —You will be provided with all publicity material like:

• A3 size awareness Posters
• A4 size Fliers that will contain facts about the disease
• Booklets A5 size having in-depth knowledge on the disease to be distributed
• Clothe Banners to be hanged at every District

—Visit to impart knowledge and awareness:

• Local Government Chairperson at Village and township level.
• Educating parents and children at homes.
• Visit Schools and talk to pupils.

—Media Shows

• Television Talk Shows
• Television Adverts
• Television Scroll adverts
• Radio Interactive programmes
• Newspaper Adverts
• SMS bulk messages
• TV programme –Ubongo Cartoons
• Street level drives
• Road Shows
• Street Criers
• Bill Boards

—Remember the Objectives:

1. —The goal for advocacy, communication and social mobilization is to inform and educate the community, parents and other groups in order to help them understand and improve demand for immunization services on a routine basis and during the campaign.
2.  Specifically it aims at attaining maximum uptake of the IMRC intervention, respond effectively to counteract any rumors that may negatively affect coverage and ensure continued high uptake of MR in the routine vaccination. It is also to help planners, managers and service providers understand and work better with the beliefs, structures and need of the community so that services are more responsive and effective.

CONCLUSION

1. Ensure that members visiting parents, teachers and pupils are well trained in interpersonal skills and equipped with training material. 
2. Each health Centre and designated vaccination point will be manned by MOH official. Lions will be required to socialize with the vaccination target group/parents. 
3. Lions to meet influential and responsible members of the community who can usefully assist in disseminating information. 
4. Lions to target auxiliary areas where a greater impact and be realised; these are schools, churches, mosques, markets and bus stops.
5. Do not let people lose focus. 
6. Remember the MR diseases are fatal and vaccinations will prove to be a savior. 
7. Show Appreciation by thanking all members for their active participation. 
8. Celebrate your success for saving children lives. 
9. Send a report with photos to the Project Coordinator / Project Convenor as soon as possible. 

To quote Hellen Keller- “Life is either a great adventure or nothing”.