Kano State Community of Practice Develops Immunization and Health Budget Scorecard
By Ayeeshat J Ahmad Kano
The BOOST project, implemented by Save the Children and funded by GSK,supported the Kano State Community of Practice on Immunization to develop an Immunization and Health Budget Scorecard.
The scorecard aims to track and monitor immunization and health budget allocations, expenditures, and outcomes in Kano State.
Another piloted Project by BOOST Supported by Save the children is the Vaxsocial project is a targeted initiative to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase immunisation uptake across six Local Government Areas in the state through Social media platforms.
The VaxSocial project aims to improve immunisation coverage among children, adolescent girls, and women at risk of cervical cancer.
A key focus of the campaign is reaching “zero-dose” children, those who have never received any vaccines, as well as those who started but did not complete their immunisation schedules.
Speaking at the event, the Project Manager of VaxSocial, Dr Felicia Mairiga emphasised the urgency of the intervention.
“Currently, data shows that over 36 million children in Nigeria have not received any vaccination, leaving them exposed to preventable diseases.
Dr. Mariga further explained that Kano’s pilot phase will cover six LGAs: Ungoggo, Gezawa, Kumbotso, Dala, Nassarawa, and Kano Municipal, and will run from June to November 2025.
“The project, which began in Lagos in June 2024, seeks to address deeply rooted issues such as religious and cultural resistance, as well as online misinformation”
“Social media will be a critical part of our strategy,” she noted. “We must confront misinformation directly and disseminate accurate, culturally sensitive information that resonates with our communities.”
The Co-Chair of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) community of practice CoP Comrade Salisu Yusuf highlighted the importance of collaboration and accountability.
“This initiative is about more than vaccines, it’s about strengthening systems, accountability and so on” he said.
“CSO , media and All our Stackhodels network is active across all 44 LGAs in Kano, and we’re committed to raising awareness statewide.”
He stressed the need for cooperation between Primary Health Care Centres, the Ministry of Health, the media, and community stakeholders to ensure the campaign’s success.
Salisu Yusif Further more said,The development of the scorecard is a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in health budgeting and expenditure in Kano State. It will enable stakeholders to track the government’s commitment to immunization and health, identify areas of improvement, and advocate for increased funding and resources.
The Kano State Community of Practice on Immunization, comprising various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government officials, and healthcare professionals, worked together to develop the scorecard.
The scorecard will serve as a tool for advocacy and accountability, ensuring that immunization and health programs receive adequate funding and resources.
The BOOST project has been working with the Kano State government and other stakeholders to strengthen immunization and health systems in the state.
The development of the Immunization and Health Budget Scorecard is a key milestone in this effort, and it is expected to contribute to improved health outcomes for children and communities in Kano State.