Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello, the African Health Budget Network (AHBN) focal person in Kano, announced that the Kano State Government has allocated ₦528 million for routine immunization activities.
He made this disclosure during a capacity-building training session for Community of Practice (CoP) members aimed at enhancing zero-dose immunization activities.
The event, held on Saturday, was in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and funded by GAVI.
According to a federal government survey, over one million children in Nigeria are unvaccinated. Kano State accounts for 15 out of the 100 Local Government Areas (LGAs) with significant numbers of unvaccinated children. Dr. Musa revealed that AHBN and AFENET will focus their efforts on Kumbotso and Ungogo LGAs to address this issue.
“Every healthcare service requires funding, and immunization is documented as one of the most effective public health interventions to reduce outbreaks of childhood killer diseases and epidemics,” Dr. Musa stated.
The Zero Dose Learning Hub has initiated groups comprising civil society organizations, government officials, media, and development partners to improve immunization coverage in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Borno States.
The CoP members will develop a six-month work plan to mobilize immunization funding, conduct advocacy, and produce stories highlighting the importance of vaccinations.
The Budget and Tracking group will be responsible for ensuring timely fund releases and the judicious utilization of these funds for immunization activities in the state.
Malam Salisu Yusuf, head of the CoP members, remarked, “The work plan will ensure that all target areas benefit from this great intervention, making unvaccinated children a thing of the past in a few years.”
