The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, says the agency will continue to provide more support to Sokoto State.
Dr Shuaib made the pledge when he paid a courtesy visit to Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto.
According to him, despite the huge investment of Governor Tambuwal on Primary Healthcare still, the state is yet to have a commiserate improvement on indicators.
“So when you look at the routine immunisation and antenatal coverage you will find that there is still a commitment that is desired in terms of how to meet indicators so that the quality of health of citizens in Sokoto State can be improved.
“We also observed that Sokoto is not doing as well as it could do in terms of COVID-19 vaccination because when you look at the ranking of States Sokoto is among those in the bottom five or so.“
He added that by the survey the agency realised the importance to explore more ways how to support the state through working with development partners on bringing the gap on Primary Healthcare.
Dr Shuaib noted that they would continue to ensure people understand the relevance of the COVID-19 vaccine, routine immunisation among others.
“We need to be able to ensure that our children get childhood immunisation that would protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Preventing them from contracting these diseases means that these children can live a healthcare and more qualitative life without breaking into illnesses while attending schools and get capacity to solve very complex problems for a better future.”
Dr Shuaib noted that engaging with the State government and traditional institutions has been the only way forward to understand problems at a community level and provide more primary healthcare access to the grassroots level with the minimum available resources provided by the government and other development partners.
Responding, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, expressed his appreciation to Dr Faisal Shuaib and other development partners for the support given to the state.
He said the support has been measurable and more helpful to healthcare service delivery in the State.
Tambuwal assured them a continuous collaboration on all the areas of coverage of the support that was intended to offer to the State.
He appeal for more support to Sokoto from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and other development partners to address the challenges of low immunisation rates, low COVID-19 vaccination, maternal mortality and all other associated health-related issues.
Also in his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the III, thanked the team for the visit.
He noted that traditional institutions look forwards for more many meaningful engagements.
The Sultan assured the team that their doors are always open and would continue to do their best to enlighten people for the benefit of having a healthy society.
Also on their remarks, WHO Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Alex Chimbary and UNICEF Chief of Health Country office, Dr Eduardo Celades, expressed their happiness on the State government and Sultanate council commitments to work with NPHCDA and partners to ensure effective Healthcare Services delivery.
They, however, assured their financial and technical support to the state not only in the areas of vaccines but to all other primary healthcare services for the overall health of Sokoto citizens.
PIAK
