COVID-19 Response

COVID-19 Response Support 

As much as earlier at the beginning of 2022, ACHAP’s role in COVID-19 response has transitioned from heavy front-line implementation to supporting strategic areas. There have since been new funders who have since approached and engaged ACHAP to implement vaccination initiatives in the country. The two new funders are Allen Gray Philanthropy grant and the Africa CDC COVID-19 vaccination awarded through Amref. These are presented in detail below. 

Allan Gray 

In May 2022, Allan Gray awarded ACHAP a 9-months grant to support MoH national COVID-19 response. The project was implemented in Gaborone district and had a total of 2 nurses vaccinators, 1 coordinator who was also a vaccinator, 2 data clerks and a program assistant. In addition, the project had coordination, administration and logistical support from the ACHAP head office. 

In line with the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), ACHAP was to administer a total of 18,000 vaccine doses in 9 months (translating into 2,000 vaccinations in a month) targeting the general population. Implementation commenced in the last week of August, 2022. In the four months period from August to December 2022 the project achievable target was 8,000.  

Achievements 

As per figure 6 below, at the end of December 2022, ACHAP had administered 5,187 doses which is 65% (5,187/8,000) of the 4-months target. Performance was constrained from reaching the desired target by several logistical challenges especially shortage of vaccines and vaccines consumables in the months of October, November and December 2022. 

 Impact 

The project significantly assisted government efforts in vaccinating the target population. The project also played a significant role in addressing the mission and values of ACHAP specifically in incubating and strengthening health care provision. The project helped ACHAP and its staff to gain valuable experience in emergency vaccinations. The lessons learned will be indispensable in fighting future epidemics of a similar magnitude. 

Challenges 

The project faced several challenges both at inception and during implementation. Presented below are some of the major challenges encountered during the project lifetime: 

  1. Shortage of vaccines (both adults and pediatrics) as well as vaccine consumables like syringes and needles.  
  2. Hesitancy by parents to consent for children below 18 years. 
  3. Relaxation of COVID-19 protocols resulting in reduced demand for vaccination and low turn-up of clients in addition to the already existing vaccine hesitancy.  

Saving Lives Livelihood (Africa CDC through Amref)

Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) is a joint program between Africa CDC and the Master Card Foundation through Amref to support rollout of COVID-19 vaccination in the southern african region. ACHAP is leading implementation vaccination partner in Botswana while Red Cross is a Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) partner. It is an initiative that the African Union had come up with in an effort to assist the african member states in COVID-19 vaccination roll-out. Botswana as a one of the member states approached the program for assistance and was successful, hence the introduction of SLL in 8 selected districts namely Lobatse, Goodhope, Ghanzi, Mahalapye, Bobirwa, Selibe-Phikwe, North East and Boteti. Botswana integrated this support into the broader Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) programme branded Ntlo le Ntlwana Campaign. This Integrated Vaccine Campaign aims were as follows: 

  • Get all districts to reach at least 80% COVID-19 vaccine coverage (caters for about 20% laggards). 
  • At least 400 000 were 1st booster doses. 
  • Get all dricts to at least 90% coverage on EPI vaccines on under 5 vaccines. 

The project started as a 3 months door to door campaign through the four (4) mobile vaccination teams through the following structure: 

  • One (1) mobile team per 2 districts each team consisting of 2 nurses, 2 data clerks, 1 driver and 1 mobiliser. 
  • Three (3) ACHAP Headquarters based team to oversee implementation 
  • One (1) MOH based National Coordinator 

Major success to date

  • Engagement and sensitizing all 8 SLL Districts DHMTs  
  • Mapping of the vaccination sites to ascertain site capacity gaps  
  • Training of the CVCs project staff by MOH and DHMTs 
  • Procurement of products and equipment for running CVC’s (Sleeping bags, tablets, Laptops, Stretchers) 
  • Supportive Supervisory visits and Data Quality Assessment  
  • Integration of COVID-19 Vaccinations with under 5 immunization (EPI/ RI and over 100 under 5s children have been Vaccinated) 

Performance update 

Despite shortage of vaccines, ACHAP through the SLL Project contributed over 80% of the total vaccinations (31,176) in the SLL supported districts (see figure 25)

Global Fund 

ACHAP was automatically given the responsibility to procure all the Global Fund COVID-19 (C19RM) procurements such as equipment’s and supplies through the pooled GF procurement mechanism called Wambo.

ACHAP has since successfully delivered on this commitment and these are summarized in figure 7 below

Participating Organizations