Eradication of Polio in East Africa
Project / Program Summary

1. Objectives
   Eradication of Polio in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (Eastern Africa) by the year 2000.
2. Activities / contents
   National Immunisation Days (NIDs)
   Finalise NIDs plans, strategies and budgets for each country for each year through the establishment and functioning of the Inter-Agency Co-ordinating Committee (ICC); conduct micro-planning and training at district level for the effective implementation of the NIDs nationwide; undertake social mobilisation and Information Education, Communication (IEC) activities; arrange vaccine supplies and ensure cold chain infrastructure is in good working order; supply vaccine carriers and cold chain boxes for NIDs; undertake two rounds of NIDs in 1998 - assess requirements for 1999; ensure personnel are mobilised and in place, conduct monitoring and evaluation of the NIDs and assist countries to prepare annual NIDs report.
   
   Surveillance
   Hold advocacy and surveillance workshops for Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) personnel; sensitise and train health workers; provide specimen kits and support for transport of samples; sensitise the public reporting Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases; establish monitoring procedures for surveillance system.
   
   Mopping Up
   Establish procedures for mopping up immunisation; carry out mopping up immunisation as necessary, using surveillance data;
   
   Routine EPI
   Improve planning mechanism for EPI; sensitise all involved in NIDs on the importance of routine EPI; maintain improved procurement, distribution, supply and surveillance systems;
3. Expected outcomes / impacts
   Successful NIDs in all three countries in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and beyond, if necessary; high quality surveillance of AFP active in all three countries; effective rounds of mopping up in areas with reservoirs of polio virus; strengthened national immunisation programmes in all three countries through strengthened vaccine procurement, distribution, supply and surveillance systems resulting from investment in polio eradication.
4. Features in line with the Agenda for Action
   Contributes towards the goals specified in the Agenda for action under Health and Population.

Caroline Sergeant DFID - EA, Nairobi.