Immunisation: Stakeholders express concerns against zero-dose children in Bauchi 13 LGAs
By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have expressed significant concerns over immunisation of zero-dose children across 13 local government areas (LGAs) and missed communities in the state.
They made the lamentation during capacity building for the members of the Community of Practice (CoP) on immunisation budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability targeting zero-dose children organised by Africa Health Budget Network on Tuesday in Bauchi.
Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, the executive chairman of the of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, has noted that despite the availability of vaccines, which are administered free of charge,
He identified the thirteen LGAs within the state that have been particularly noted for their high concentration of zero-dose children as Alkaleri, Bauchi, Ganjuwa, Darazo, and Gamawa.
Others Itas Gadau, Katagum, Misau, Toro Ningi, Shira, and Zaki LGAs all show the children didn’t receive the Penta 1 vaccination.
Mohammed said out of the remaining seven LGAs, two are porous local government areas that border neighbouring Jigawa States.
He said that zero-dose reduction strategies have been put in place to include periodic intensification of routine immunisation in between rounds of activities and market vaccination.
“We don’t know why parents and carers refuse to vaccinate their children, and to address the challenges, the board takes the vaccination to hardhardreach communities, names ceremonies, and follows nomads along their routes.
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.
He added that with the transition of the MOU arrangement from the routine immunisation MOU to PHC Bauchi, Bauchi is now responsible for 100% of the of the payment of immunisation activities.
“This money will be used for vaccine delivery, cold chain maintenance, routine immunisation intensification, and demand generation, among others,” he said.
On his part, Dr. Aminu Mgashi, the Chief Executive (COE) and Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AFENET), said the organisation is a sub-partner of the African Field Epidemiology Network on the Nigeria Zero Dose Learning Hub.
He said that GAVI established the Learning Hub to address issues around immunisation equity by identifying zero-dose and under-immunised children using the identify, reach, monitor, measure, and advocate framework.
According to him, AHBN has established a community of practice that focuses on budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability.
“The capacity building is to help the CoP members influence the immunisation financing landscape through evidence-based advocacy,” he said.
The CoP members include health experts, relevant government officials, academia, the media, civil society organisations, and social media handlers, among others.
