AHBN Co-ordinator Visits Bauchi State Assembly, Urged Stronger Oversight on Immunization.
The African Health Budget Network Co ordinator Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi had visited Bauchi State House of Assembly for High Level Advocacy to the Speaker Rt Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health.
During the advocacy meeting Dr Magashi appreciated the State Government and the entire House of Assembly for the passage and the allocation of the projected Immunization budget of 872 million for 2025 and the release of the money allocated.
He however, requested the Assembly to oversight the utilization of the funds and track implementation of lifesaving Immunization interventions especially in Zero Dose LGAs.
“Bauchi is leading among the four states where we work, and this is because of the strong political will from both the assembly and the executive arm,” he noted.
In his remark while responding the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Sulaiman, pledged their commitment to strengthening oversight functions to enhance healthcare delivery and improve Immunisation coverage across the state.
He stated that the Assembly, through its Committees on Health and Appropriation, had consistently advocated for increased budgetary allocations to the health sector.
“We acknowledge health as a foundation for societal development. Without good health, no society can function effectively,” he emphasised.
The speaker also reaffirmed the House’s readiness to conduct oversight visits to health facilities across the state to directly engage communities and assess healthcare service delivery.
He added that the Assembly remained committed to gender inclusion and the protection of women’s and children’s rights in all health-related policies.
Also speaking, Dr Hassan Musa, Bauchi State Focal Person for AHBN, appreciated the state government for creating a dedicated budget line for Immunisation.
He noted that N870 million had been earmarked in the 2025 budget as a basket fund to combat zero-dose prevalence in children.
He highlighted gaps identified in the District Immunisation Monitoring (DIM) report and the scorecard, calling for greater focus on gender mainstreaming, community engagement, and social protection.
Co-chair, Mr Jinjiri Garba, lauded the Assembly for being responsive to the health sector’s needs and emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to improve the state’s health indicators.
The advocacy visit by the Africa Health Budget Network and the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice Led by AHBN Coordinator Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, to the Bauchi State House of Assembly is expected to drive meaningful change and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level, ultimately reducing zero-dose prevalence and promoting equitable access to life-saving vaccines for all children in the state.