In the heart of Lomami, a rural province where traditions and geographical challenges hinder access to essential services, stands a man dedicated to renewing hope for the children of Tshofa. Serving as Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jean Baptiste MAUNGA is not only a physician but also a defender of children's rights. He strives to ensure complete vaccination coverage and protect children from social and cultural abuses.
Fighting Cultural Realities
Tshofa is a region where traditional beliefs, often resistant to modern healthcare services, leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases. Parents, often with little education, adhere to authoritarian practices that limit children's natural rights. As a result, children face abuse, lack education, and are marginalized. In response, Dr. Jean Baptiste has taken it upon himself to restore children's rightful place in society, advocating for their protection through complete vaccination.
Photo: A child in Tshofa receives a life-saving vaccine, ensuring protection against polio and other preventable diseases. © UNICEF/2024
Bold and Inclusive Initiatives
In June 2024, on the occasion of the International Day of the African Child, Dr. Jean Baptiste organized impactful activities in the Pygmy community: educational talks with children and their mothers and a football match bringing together Pygmy and Bantu children. These initiatives go beyond raising awareness. They symbolize a commitment to building bridges between communities and ensuring children grow up in an environment that respects their rights to vaccination, protecting them against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Photo: Children in Tshofa gather for an inclusive football match, bridging communities and promoting children's rights through Dr. Jean Baptiste MAUNGA’s initiatives. © UNICEF/2024
A Vision for Vaccination
Achieving high vaccination coverage is among Dr. Jean Baptiste's top priorities. He actively supervises routine immunization sessions and special campaigns against polio, focusing on catching up children who missed vaccines. With the support of community leaders, including Tshofa's network of U-Reporters, he mobilizes families to ensure every child has access to essential vaccines.
Words of Hope
During the celebration of the International Day of the African Child, his words resonated deeply:
"Our community gives too little attention to children's health, yet it shapes the future. Within my means, I will always prioritize the health of every child because a child fully vaccinated against polio today is the foundation of tomorrow's community."
Photo: Dr. Jean Baptiste MAUNGA addresses the community on the importance of children's health and vaccination during the International Day of the African Child. © UNICEF/2024
An Inspiring Role Model
Dr. Jean Baptiste is more than a physician; he is a change-maker and an ambassador for children's health rights in an area where these rights are often overlooked. His energy and dedication inspire not only his colleagues but also community leaders. One of them remarked:
"Adding initiatives to prevent every child from polio to the daily tasks of a health zone chief is more than a sacrifice. It is a modern vision to transform our community."
A Call for Collective Action
The fight for child protection cannot rest on one person alone. Dr. Jean Baptiste calls on all actors—community members, opinion leaders, and public services—to actively engage in ensuring every child a better future: complete vaccination, protection against polio, safety from violence, and access to education.
By following the example of Dr. Jean Baptiste MAUNGA, the Tshofa community now has a real opportunity to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and protect children against polio. Together, they can give every child the chance to grow into a successful adult ready to build a more prosperous society.
Written by Willy MUKADI SABUE, SBC Consultant, UNICEF DRC