By Rakiya A.Muhammad
With Sokoto ranking among the states with many children who have not had any vaccinations (zero-dose children), stakeholders have emphasised the urgent need for the prompt release of budgetary allocations and their judicious utilisation to close the immunisation gap.
They lament that delays in budget releases directly impact the ability to reach and immunise zero-dose and under-immunised children in marginalised communities, leading to a continued health risk for these children and a potential public health impact.
Speakers highlighted this in Sokoto at the Quarterly Review Meeting of Community Practice (CoP), established by the AHBN to expedite progress in enhancing routine immunisation coverage, specifically targeting zero-dose children.
“Sometimes budget provisions are made, but releases are always very poor, except the government releases the budget provided for issues such as immunisation,honestly, the outcome and the performance will not be what we desire,” pointed out Hon. Muhammad Usman, Adviser, Advocacy and Accountability on Zero Dose Learning Hub, a program jointly carried out by the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and the African Health Budget Network (AHBN) as a consortium.
He stressed:“If we are to reach and eliminate the zero dose in Sokoto state, there must be sufficient funding and prompt release of that money.”
Hon. Usman further stated, “We must also strive to ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose; this will improve the output.”
He stressed the importance of addressing the vaccine inequity. “Sokoto is one of the states with a very high number of zero-dose children,” he stated.
“And that is why we are truly concerned—this is a concern shared by everyone from Sokoto—that there are children who have never received any form of immunisation; this is detrimental to the health of that child who has not received any immunisation after birth.”
Dr Nurudeen Aliyu, State Team Lead AFENET, stressed the crucial role of advocacy in facilitating relevant authorities to take the necessary actions to address the identified gaps and ultimately tackle the zero-dose issue.
Earlier, Umar Garba Kadi, State Focal Person, African Health Budget Network, Sokoto State, said the meeting’s essence was to review the CoP work plan, its achievements, shortfalls, problems, and how to carry out the activities.
He underscored the pressing situation in Sokoto State and the immediate need to address it.
“Sokoto state is one of the states that have been identified with high number of zero-dose children;we have 13 LGAs in Sokoto State with this menace of zero-dose but Tambuwal and Wamakko local government areas are most affected LGAs.”
The AHBN Sokoto focal person reiterated their unwavering commitment to ensuring 100% success in their advocacy endeavours, tracking budget implementation, and ensuring accountability, particularly with regard to zero-dose children and the overall immunisation program in the state.
Dr Aminu Magashi AHBN National Coordinator urged members of the Community of Practice, which comprises government officials, traditional leaders, journalists, young people, persons with disabilities, civil society, labour unions, and other groups, to redouble their efforts to achieve the set objectives.
He noted that each member has a crucial role in the collective effort and that their commitment and dedication are essential to the initiative’s success.
