AHBN Nigeria Calls for Improved Immunization Funding in Kano State
The African Health Budget Network (AHBN) Nigeria has emphasized the need for improved funding and releases for immunization programs in Kano State. Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello, State Focal Person for AHBN, made this call during a press briefing and scorecard dissemination event in Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Formally known as Nasarawa Hospital Kano on Monday
During the Press briefing Dr Musa Muhammad Bello explain timely release of immunization funds is crucial for effective vaccine delivery and public health outcomes. And ensuring the vaccines are available and accessible to target populations.
Highlighting the The Nigeria Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Dr Musa Bello said the project is being implemented by AHBN in consortium with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and with support from GAVI.
The aims and the Objectives of the projects is to enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge and skills regarding immunization practices and increase demand for immunization to reach unreached children in four states, including Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, and Borno.
Dr Musa Muhammad Bello explain that the ZDLH project seeks to address gaps in immunization equity by providing a structured framework for Nigeria to improve data use and promptly generate evidence to identify, measure, monitor, and reach “zero dose” children, “under-immunized” children, and “missed” communities.
“African Health Budget Network (AHBN) has conducted many activities under the project for over two years now, including establishing of Community of Practice for immunization advocacaies/stakeholder engagements, conduct of Decentralized Immunization monitoring in collaboration with AFENET, in Kumbotso and Sumaila LGAs as well as development of immunization budget tracking and accountability score card. ”Dr Musa said
“The project organized this press briefing and score card dissemination to share its success advocate for improve commitments from all stakeholders towards addressing the zero dose and under immunized children issues in the state, based on issues identified from both score card and various stakeholder engagement.”He Added
AHBN focal person however said,they really appreciates the Kano State government for its sustained double-digit health budget allocation and establishment of a state task force on immunization .
Dr Musa Bello urged the state government to improve on its immunization budget performance through timely releases of funds and improve in the timely release of counterpart funding for immunization at both state and LGAs levels
Our Correspondent Ayeeshat J Ahmad reports that Delayed in funding can lead to stockouts, missed vaccination opportunities, and increased risk of outbreaks. With timely funding, programs can maintain cold chain integrity, transport vaccines, and train personnel, ultimately protecting communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
AHBN urges development partners and stakeholders to work together to improve immunization coverage and protect the health of children in Kano State.
The ZDLH project will continue to advocate for improved commitments from all stakeholders towards addressing zero-dose and under-immunized children issues in Kano State.
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