Kebbi: GAVI/UNICEF’s intervention boosts immunization coverage from 77% to 96% in Kebbi -Gov Idris
By: John Bassey.
The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has said that the partnership between the State Government and GAVI/UNICEF has increased the state’s immunization coverage from 77 percent to 96 percent.
The governor made the disclosure at the handing over and close out of the GAVI/UNICEF Primary Healthcare Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Health System Strengthening Intervention in Kebbi State.
Performing the handing over ceremony at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Friday, the governor said that the three-year partnership, signed between Kebbi State Government and GAVI with UNICEF as the implementing partner, had recorded tremendous successes.
“It is worthy to mention that under this partnership, the immunisation coverage has improved from 77% to 96%, while, skills birth attendance has also improved from 82% to 94%,” he said.
The program, he said, was meant to strengthen the State Routine Immunisation and Primary Healthcare Programmes for improved provision of basic healthcare services.
He observed that the partnership had also impacted the quality of life and health of the citizens, thereby facilitating human capital development.
The governor enumerated some achievements and successes recorded under the program, including improved Immunisation coverage, strengthening health infrastructure, capacity building, enhanced data management, community engagement, and awareness, as well as human resources for health development.
Other achievements, he said, were 14 PHCs equipped with solar systems, the provision of three operational vehicles, the provision of 21 brand new motorcycles for improved monitoring and immunization, and the employment of 309 staff to provide routine immunization in the underserved communities across the state.
Gov. Idris added that within one and half years, his administration had invested in the health sector to improve the health of the citizens through accessibility and affordability of quality basic healthcare services.
“Other investment includes a review of Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to effectively address the menace of brain drain among our medical personnel.
“My administration is also upgrading six General Hospitals across the three Senatorial Zones to bring both secondary and tertiary healthcare services closer to the people.
“This is in line with the present administration’s efforts towards achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 as envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, which also aligned with the present Federal Government’s SWAP Initiative in the health sector,” he said.
Speaking, the UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate said that Kebbi stands as a beacon of innovation and determination.
“Kebbi is one of the eight states in Nigeria supported by GAVI under the Strengthening Health System at the Primary Healthcare Level Initiative.
“It has made extraordinary strides in addressing the health challenges faced by its people,” Munduate said.
The country rep. Appreciated the contributions of other partners, including WHO, Solina, and other development partners whose collaboration had been integral to the success of the program.
Munduate also expressed delight over the support of traditional institutions and religious leaders, observing that their critical role had culminated in a huge success.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Comrade Yunusa Musa Isma’ila Yauri thanked the governor for supporting the ministry as well as health sectors in general and assured the commitment of the ministry to discharging its mandate diligently.
