The BOOST Project and the Kano Community of Practice on Immunisation and Accountability, KN-CoP, have strengthened collaboration with nurses and midwives to reach more zero-dose and under-immunised children across Kano State.
The commitment was renewed during an advocacy follow-up visit to the Kano State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, where stakeholders reviewed barriers affecting access to child health services.
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The delegation, led by the BOOST Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, included the Chairman of KN-CoP, Salisu Yusuf, and other stakeholders.
Receiving the delegation, the Chairman of NANNM Kano State Council, Comrade Ibrahim Muhammad Mailafia, expressed the association’s commitment to supporting efforts to improve child health services across the state.
He said NANNM had taken measures to address service gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach areas of Dala, Kano Municipal and Gwale Local Government Areas.
Comrade Mailafia explained that the association had mapped healthcare workers and underserved communities to identify workforce gaps and improve coverage during vaccination activities.
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He identified poor attitudes among some healthcare workers, inadequate public awareness, financial constraints and difficulties accessing health facilities as some of the barriers affecting immunisation uptake.
The NANNM Chairman said the association had engaged local and traditional leaders to promote community ownership and encourage greater participation in vaccination activities.
He added that radio platforms, including Fasaha Radio and Radio Kano FM, had been used to educate residents on child health, environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, while nurses and midwives had received training in behavioural communication, vaccine safety and cold-chain management.
The BOOST delegation commended NANNM for its initiatives and highlighted the critical role of nurses and midwives in delivering primary healthcare services, particularly to children and families in underserved communities.
The team also presented advocacy briefs focusing on healthcare financing, healthcare workers’ attitudes and gender considerations in health service delivery.
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The BOOST Project invited NANNM representatives to participate in forthcoming health advocacy activities, including events marking World Polio Day, as stakeholders seek to deepen collaboration and reach more zero-dose and under-immunised children across Kano State.
The Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunisation for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunised Children, BOOST, Project is implemented by Save the Children International with support from GSK.