Writing By Khadijah Aliyu, Editing By Godwin Duru
The Community of Practice on Immunization, Budget Tracking, Accountability, and Sustainability CoP has called for an all-inclusive state immunization policy in Kano.
This was part of recommendations by CoP during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Commissioner , Ministry of Budget and Planning MoPB Alhaji Musa Suleiman Shanono.
The visit aims to advocate for increased funding and timely releases to address the issue of zero-dose children as well as an inclusive state immunization policy.
Led by the state focal person for the AHBN Zero Dose Learning Hub project Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello , the delegation emphasized the importance of adequate funding to support immunization efforts.
According to him, a recent survey revealed that Kano State has fifteen local government areas with zero-dose children, the highest number in the country.
He enumerated some of the challenges identified in the state to include inadequate resource mobilization and untimely release of funds from the budget among others.
Dr Musa commended the state government for its dedication towards improving the health indices, saying that Kano states allocation supersedes the Abuja declaration.
In his remarks, CSOs Co Chair, Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization Mallam Salisu Yusuf, reiterated the need for harmonization of immunization funds between government and partners.
“Is there a difference between immunization funds allocated in the budget and that of development partners? If so what are the commitments”.
In his welcome remarks, the state Commissioner of Budget and Planning Alhaji Musa Sulaiman Shanono stressed that the government will provide all the necessary support to achieve the desired objectives.
Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary Malam Ladan Ajumawa, he called for domestication of the national immunization policy in Kano.
Others who spoke include the Director Planning MoPB Malam Sabi’u Garin Danga and the Director Social investment programs Malam Abubakar Ali Muhammad
Radio Nigeria reports that, the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), established Communities of Practice (CoP) in Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto and Borno states to support state governments in improving immunization coverage.
