Implementing the Reaching Every District Approach: A Guide for District Health Management Teams

The purpose of this guide is to give health programme managers (governmental and non-governmental), supervisors, and health workers practical information about the Reaching Every District (RED) approach. Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners in 2002 to improve and sustain high levels of routine immunisation, RED consists of:

1. Planning and Management of Resources
2. Reaching Target Populations
3. Linking Services with Communities
4. Supportive Supervision
5. Monitoring for Action

Prepared by the WHO Africa Regional Office (ARO) in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s IMMUNIZATIONbasics Project, this guide provides a framework for planning, managing, and reaching all women and children with life-saving vaccination services. It also explores use of immunisation and the RED approach as a platform for the delivery of other essential primary health care (PHC) services.

This August 2008 revised version describes the RED approach, its five components, and the operational issues that must be addressed if RED is to succeed. Each chapter includes references and links to resource materials and other tools that may be of interest to those who are planning training sessions and preparing other materials for RED implementation. This edition of the Guide also includes two new chapters, the first focusing on monitoring and evaluating RED and the second on adapting the Guide to meet country needs. Annexes to the Guide include: sample tools for microplanning and charting immunisation coverage and drop-outs; a new RED Monitoring Tool for use by health facilities, district health teams, and national programme managers; a generic supportive supervision form; an analysis of access and drop-outs; and a quick reference handout on the five RED components.

The Guide incorporates "best practices" and "lessons learned" during implementation of the RED approach in different African countries. The Guide is intended for adaptation and use by national immunisation programmes, as one of several resources that can be used to introduce district health teams and immunisation partners to the RED approach. Once adapted, it can also be used by district health teams and health workers as a quick reference to the five RED components and core monitoring indicators. Another use for the Guide may be in explaining RED to local officials and other potential supporters of immunisation and PHC services.