The Federal Government says Nigeria must establish a permanent budget line for vaccines at federal, state and local government levels to ensure predictable and sustainable financing for immunisation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the Financing Immunisation Champions Summit, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services.
It has “Securing Sustainable Health Financing through Legislative Leadership and Subnational Action” as theme.
Anas-Kolo said immunisation funding could no longer depend on unpredictable external support or delayed budget releases, stressing the need for domestic resource mobilisation.
“We must have a budget line that is permanent at all levels.
“It is truly a shame to say our children are dying because of lack of funding for vaccines. We should own it, run with it and protect our children.”
She said the Renewed Hope Health Agenda prioritises sustainable immunisation financing, noting that lawmakers’ proposal to increase the statutory allocation for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent was commendable, but must state clearly what is dedicated to vaccines.
According to her, delayed release of funds remains a major barrier, especially at the subnational level, where many states announce allocations but fail to release them in time for vaccine procurement and delivery.
She urged legislators to adopt performance indicators that would hold public office holders accountable.
“How many children have been immunised in your constituency? How much allocation has been made? These are the things we need to measure,’’ she said.
The Chairman, House Committee on Healthcare Services, Rep. Amos Magaji, said the summit was convened to strengthen collaboration between federal and state lawmakers to address high infant mortality rates and the large number of zero-dose children in some states.
“There are many states in Nigeria right now where some children have never received even a single vaccine.
“If we sleep on vaccines and primary health care, maternal and infant mortality will continue to soar.”
Magaji said strengthening oversight of the BHCPF was critical.
He added that several states had begun addressing human resource gaps in primary healthcare by committing to recruit more health workers over the next four years.
He said increased funding at the federal level must be matched by increased commitments by states and local governments.
“If federal government increases funding and states and local governments are not increasing funding, we are not going to get there,” he said.
Dr Muyi Aina, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said the summit aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which seeks to expand access to basic services such as immunisation, antenatal care, family planning and HIV treatment.
“As coverage expands, costs also rise.
“We are coming from a chronically underfunded health sector, so there is a need to accelerate health financing, especially through domestic resources.”
Aina said the National Assembly was already working to increase the BHCPF from one per cent to two per cent and restructure the release of vaccine funds to prevent delays.
He said states must also deepen their own commitments, adding that civil society groups and the legislature have key roles in accountability.
Chika Offor, Chief Executive of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, said the legislative push to raise BHCPF and pursue constitutional amendments to dedicate one per cent of the federation account to health was a major step forward.
“Vaccines are miracles, and these miracles need to be funded.
“Over eight million children are born every year and need to be vaccinated.
“Government buys these vaccines and gives them free, but it needs sustainable financing.”
She called for ring-fencing of immunisation funds as a first-line charge, stronger subnational financing, and improved accountability by states to ensure funds translate into better health outcomes.
Offor said some states, including Gombe, were already demonstrating strong commitment by sustaining health workforce financing after completing their Memorandum of Understanding with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
