The Kano State Government KNSG has commended the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Community of Practice CoP, for its contributions toward reducing the high number of zero-dose children in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, made the commendation during an advocacy visit by members of the Kano Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunisation Budget Accountability at his residence.
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The team was led by the Chairman of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) Advisory Board, Hon. Muhammad Usman, who thanked the Deputy Governor for granting them audience and briefed him on the progress of the ZDLH project.
He said, the initiative, implemented by AFENET and AHBN in four states, including Kano, seeks to improve vaccine uptake and reduce the number of unimmunized children.
During the visit, AHBN ZDLH Kano State Focal Person, Dr Musa Muhammad Bello, outlined the CoP’s activities, which include advocacy for increased immunisation budget, awareness creation, and Decentralised Immunisation Monitoring (DIM) in Kumbotso and Sumaila LGAs.
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He stressed the need for timely releases of routine immunisation (RI) budgets and counterpart funding to effectively tackle the challenge of zero-dose children, while also commending the Deputy Governor’s leadership as Chairman of the Kano State Task Force on Immunisation.
Responding, Deputy Governor Gwarzo reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing the issue of zero-dose children and pledged to resolve delays in RI fund releases.
He also acknowledged the importance of partnerships and collaboration in improving immunization outcomes.
As part of the visit, the team presented the Deputy Governor with copies of the 2024 Kano State Immunization Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard, developed by AHBN and AFENET.
The scorecard highlights achievements, gaps, and recommendations, serving as a tool for stakeholders and civil society to track progress and strengthen advocacy around routine immunization.
The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of both the Kano State Government and the ZDLH project to reducing zero-dose children and improving immunization coverage.
The ZDLH project is currently being implemented in Kano, Bauchi, Borno, and Sokoto states by AHBN and AFENET with funding support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.