The Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed has noted that despite the availability of vaccines which are administered free of charge, 13 local government areas have continued to record zero doses.
This, he said means the children didn’t receive Penta 1 vaccination.
He made this known while speaking at a capacity building for the members of the Community of Practice on immunization budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability targeting zero-dose children organized by Africa Health Budget Network held Tuesday in Bauchi.
Mohammed said even the remaining seven two are porous local government areas that border neighbouring To be and Jigawa States.
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The Executive chairman noted that zero dose reduction strategies have been put in place to include periodic intensification of routine immunization, in between rounds of activities and market vaccination.
“We don’t know why parents and caregivers refuse to vaccinate their children and to address this the board takes the vaccination to hard-to-reach communities, at naming ceremonies and follow nomads along their routes.”
Giving an overview of the immunization financing landscape at the State level, Dr Mohammed said the state government remains the main source of funding for health and is being supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Bauchi State Health Trust Fund, Bauchi State Contributory Management Agency, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, MOU partners and the World Bank Projects.
“In 2024 the state allocated ₦45.1 billion representing 15% to the health sector out of the total state budget of ₦300.3 billion, while my Board got N11.6 billion.”
He added that with the transition of the MOU arrangement from Routine immunization MOU to PHC Bauchi is now responsible for 100% payment of immunisation activities.
“This money will be used for vaccine delivery, cold chain maintenance, Routine immunization intensification and demand generation among others.”
The Chief Executive Officer and Coordinator, of Africa Health Budget Network, Dr Aminu Magashi said the organization is a sub-partner to the African Field Epidemiology Network on the Nigeria zero dose learning Hub.
He noted that GAVI established the learning Hub to address issues around immunization equity by identifying zero dose and under-immunized children using the identify, reach, monitor, measure and advocate framework.
AHBN has established a community of practice which focuses on budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability.
“The capacity building is to help the CoP members influence the immunization financing landscape through evidence-based advocacy.”
By Lizzy Carr
