Nigeria has progressed in routine immunisation – Survey
The National Immunisation Coverage Survey Results show that Nigeria has made progress in routine immunisation coverage over
the years. The UNICEF Chief, Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Farah, disclosed this at a two-day media dialogue in collaboration with
the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday in Kano.
the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday in Kano.
According to news reports that the dialogue is on Routine Immunisation and the Challenge of Zero Dose Children in Particular,
organised for journalists from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. Farah, said that the dialogue is to galvanise actions and collaborate with the government and persons in positions to take favourable steps toward uplifting children’s well-being and added that “in spite of the progress made in immunisation, gaps still exist.“For instance, in the three states of the northwest of Nigeria; Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, there are over 600,000 children who have not been vaccinated against any childhood killer disease.
organised for journalists from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. Farah, said that the dialogue is to galvanise actions and collaborate with the government and persons in positions to take favourable steps toward uplifting children’s well-being and added that “in spite of the progress made in immunisation, gaps still exist.“For instance, in the three states of the northwest of Nigeria; Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, there are over 600,000 children who have not been vaccinated against any childhood killer disease.
“This is about 40 per cent of the total unimmunised children in Nigeria. Over 300,000 of those children are in Kano State,
representing 50 per cent of the three states under the UNICEF Kano Office.
representing 50 per cent of the three states under the UNICEF Kano Office.
“This situation is unacceptable and should be reversed urgently.”
He said that the UN agency has a mandate to protect and promote children’s rights, stressing that “UNICEF is extremely concerned
when children don’t get immunised.”
According to him, when children have no access to immunisation services, their basic fundamental right is not fulfilled. Farah added that in spite of proven safety, efficacy, and availability of vaccines, immunisation uptake had not always been optimal.
The UNICEF chief, therefore, urged the media to focus more on issues that affect the well-being of women and children in their reportage. He said “Let me thank the media for the supportive and collaborative role on child survival, development, and protection issues over the years.
“At UNICEF, we monitor the media daily and see the content on child rights issues; and stories on children and women represent sizable content published by the robust Nigerian media.
“Let me emphasise that your role in advancing and promoting public health services and promoting children rights in Nigeria is very critical.
“Immunisation is the single, most cost-effective, and high-impact intervention that protects children against illnesses and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.”
He pointed out that myths, disinformation, misinformation and rumours contributed a great deal to poor immunisation uptake, exposing children
to risks that could be avoided through immunisation. Farah, therefore, urged the media to create the demand for immunisation and to raise awareness about the importance of immunisation by providing accurate information to caregivers, families, and communities.
to risks that could be avoided through immunisation. Farah, therefore, urged the media to create the demand for immunisation and to raise awareness about the importance of immunisation by providing accurate information to caregivers, families, and communities.
He said “I want to use this opportunity to urge traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, and civil society organisations
to forge partnerships to eliminate the number of unimmunised children in Nigeria.
to forge partnerships to eliminate the number of unimmunised children in Nigeria.
“I also call on the governments of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and other states with zero-dose local government areas to take action to strengthen
their Primary Healthcare System and implement the Primary Health Care Under One Roof Policy.
their Primary Healthcare System and implement the Primary Health Care Under One Roof Policy.
“The policy will ensure a one-stop functional primary health care centre per ward, particularly those local government areas with unimmunised children.
“The three states should also ensure an integrated package of primary health services to families in one functional health facility.”
He further called on the governments to increase strategic interventions to address the persistent gap in human resources and recruit additional
skilled critical cadres of health workers, including vaccinators, Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services (CHIPS)) agents
for immunisation demand creation. He also told them to provide essential medicines and health commodities, infrastructure, electricity and water for quality integrated Primary Health Care service for people.
skilled critical cadres of health workers, including vaccinators, Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services (CHIPS)) agents
for immunisation demand creation. He also told them to provide essential medicines and health commodities, infrastructure, electricity and water for quality integrated Primary Health Care service for people.
“Let me conclude by reiterating UNICEF’s commitment to work with and support the state governments to ensure that the well-being of children
and their rights are fulfilled and protected,” Farah said.
and their rights are fulfilled and protected,” Farah said.
NAN/S.S
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