The Nigerian government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Nigeria, has launched the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) in the country.
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The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who unveiled the program acknowledged the numerous challenges in establishing an effective routine immunization system in Nigeria.
Dr. Shuaib said, “Despite these challenges, strategies like Optimized Outreach Sessions (OOS), Optimized Integrated Routine Immunization Sessions (OIRIS), Routine Immunization Intensification, Quarterly Lot Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS), and others are gradually yielding positive outcomes.”
Dr. Shuaib expressed optimism that Nigeria, in partnership with Gavi, stands as a pioneering nation in its implementation.
“I believe it will not only drive positive change within Nigeria but also serve as a model for other countries and envisioning it as a cornerstone for progress.
“Nigeria, in partnership with Gavi, the vaccine alliance, stands as a pioneering nation in the implementation of this learning hub. It will not only serve as a catalyst for positive change within our borders but also as a role model to be replicated in other countries. We envision this learning hub becoming a cornerstone for progress,” he said.
Dr. Shuaib reiterated that the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly posed additional challenges to routine immunization efforts, causing disruptions in coverage rates.
He assured that the government has emerged from this crisis with renewed determination and innovative approaches to fortify the nation’s immunization system.
“Our goal remains unwavering, to reach every eligible child and ensure that no child is left vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. It is in line with these efforts to reach children missed with during COVID-19 that we will be rolling out the greatest catch-up campaign of all generations. We would be delivering on our commitment that no matter the reason or season, we will ensure every child gets the jab they need,” he added.
The Senior Specialist in Evaluation and Learning at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Heidi W. Raynolds who participated through zoom reaffirmed GAVI’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in improving its healthcare metrics.
Dr. Raynolds emphasized that the learning hub arrives at a crucial time when there is much to learn from Nigeria’s experiences in reaching zero dose children with life-saving vaccines and documenting best practices and challenges.
The Regional Coordinator of AFENET, Dr. Patrick Nguku, , highlighted that the project is aim to establish a framework for Nigeria to efficiently generate evidence-based strategies for identifying, measuring, monitoring, and reaching “zero dose” children and the communities they reside in.
The project will be implemented in phases, starting with Phase 1, from Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states.
