大象传媒

Called Dhibcaha Nolosha (Drops for Life), the 15-minute magazine show was broadcast on 大象传媒 Somali. It was created in response to a polio outbreak in Somalia in 2013, the first in the country for six years.

Funded by UNICEF, the show tackled extremely low levels of polio immunisation in the country which could have led to an epidemic across the entire region.

Many listeners reported that the programme encouraged them to get their children vaccinated and convince their relatives or friends to do so too.

As one mother said, 鈥淎fter listening to the programme I took my children to health centres and had them vaccinated. I tell my neighbours to listen to this programme regularly.鈥�

Children at risk

At the project's inception only 17% of children in Somaliland received the recommended three doses of polio vaccine by their first birthday. In Puntland this figure was just 8% and in South Central Somalia immunisation levels had been extremely low for three years.

Challenging misconceptions

Dhibcaha Nolosha (Drops for Life) set out to improve understanding 鈥� it explained the facts about polio using personal experiences, research, audience feedback and expert health advice to dispel myths and increase support for polio vaccinations.

One father said the show had changed his perceptions dramatically, "I wouldn鈥檛 have allowed those vaccinators with the medical jackets who knock on my door to enter my home if it were not for the programme,鈥� he said.

By incorporating audience feedback and their personal stories, it provided a space in which the audience could ask questions and have their fears allayed.

The programme took into account the fact that some people believe polio vaccination to be dangerous. This has led to attacks on health workers and vaccinators.

A total of 16 episodes were produced and broadcast between February and May 2014.

Project information