The Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency has announced a significant increase in immunization uptake, rising from 7% in 2016 to 49% in 2024—a 700% improvement.
This was disclosed by the Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Shehu Sambo, during a two-day media dialogue and field trip focused on strengthening primary healthcare systems in Dutse.
Dr. Sambo highlighted that the establishment of the primary healthcare agency coincided with a 2016 survey, which revealed that only 7% of eligible children in the state had been immunized at that time.
However, due to the state’s robust engagement and activities in primary healthcare, the immunization coverage has seen a sevenfold increase, reaching 49%.
“What that means is that more children have been reached and prevented from contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. They survive more, and their nutritional status, IQ, and capacity to learn in school would also improve,” Dr. Sambo stated.
The improved coverage is attributed to several strategies, including intensive training for healthcare workers, better data management, and focused outreach programs in remote areas. Support from GAVI and UNICEF has been instrumental in expanding these efforts.
Dr. Ibrahim, in highlighting the positive impact of increased immunization coverage, emphasized that healthier children are not only better learners but also valuable contributors to their communities.
The Primary Healthcare Center Strengthening program, funded by Gavi and implemented by UNICEF, has played a critical role in these advancements.
“This progress is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022 between the Jigawa State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Governors Forum, GAVI, and UNICEF, aimed at improving routine immunization and primary healthcare systems, thereby reducing the loss of life, particularly among women and children,” Sambo explained.
He further noted that the funding from Gavi enabled the state to engage midwives, train frontline healthcare workers, and deliver essential services to hard-to-reach areas across Jigawa State.
“It also assisted us in organizing training for improved data entry and transmission, demand generation, recruitment of health ambassadors known as jakadar lafiya, and other initiatives,” Sambo added.
