The Borno State ZDLH CoP, lead by the AHBN state team lead Dr. Adamu Alhasaan Umar, conducted the Final Validation Meeting for the 2024 Borno State Immunisation Scorecard.
The collaborative session, chaired by ES Borno State primary healthcare management board SPHCMB, Dr. Danladi Gambo, engaged media, partners, and key stakeholders at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Maiduguri.
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Developed by the CoP with support from the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and AFENET, in close collaboration with the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board (BoSPHCDB) and RI partners, the 10-page scorecard aims to advocate for more sustained action in reducing the zero-dose burden across Borno State.
Present at the event were prominent figures including the Executive Secretary of the BoSPHCDB, represented by Mrs. Ndapaniya Samali Joseph (Director, Finance & Accounts), Mr. Yerwama Tijjani (Director, Planning, Research & Statistics), Mrs. Aisha Othman (Deputy Director, Planning), and Alhaji Maina Modu (State Immunisation Officer). Other key BoSPHCDB staff and health stakeholders also participated.
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However, the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abdulkarim Haruna, led a delegation of media representatives from both print and electronic media who contribute actively to the CoP.
During the session, the draft scorecard was discussed extensively, with vital inputs noted for its finalisation.
Once completed, the scorecard will be a key advocacy and policy tool for CoP members to help drive community-focused interventions toward eradicating zero-dose children across Borno State.
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Key findings from the Decentralised Immunisation Monitoring (DIM) conducted by AFENET were also presented by Dr. Melton Musa (AFENET STL). At the same time, the CoP Secretariat’s lead, Adam Gujja, gave a thorough overview of CoP activities and progress to date.
According to Mr Adam, CoP has engaged the state primary healthcare management board, SPHCMB, to serve as the hosting lead of the CoP to secure the leadership support for the ZDLH on budget tracking and sustainable immunisation financing.
Other achievements include engaging the commissioner for health to secure buy-in for the zero-dose learning hub focused on immunisation budget tracking and Sustainability for reaching missed children.
“This engagement aims to secure leadership support for immunisation budget tracking and sustainable financing to reach children who have missed their routine vaccinations”
“We developed a 3-6 months action plan for immunisation budget tracking accountability and sustainability”
He further stated that the team has also secured commitment to establish a transparent mechanism to track immunization budgets and ensure accountability at all levels.
“This move is supported by key stakeholders to improve sustainability and reduce the burden of zero-dose children”
He said the CoP has strengthened partnerships across both state and non-state actors. This includes:
Coordination with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and traditional leaders to involve resource persons to track newborns and defaulting children.
Secured community and moral support for CoP activities, along with new channels for future collaboration with faith leaders to reach underserved populations.
Collaboration with UNICEF to craft community messages on the impact of zero-dose children and how to prevent missed vaccinations.
The team has also sensitised health workers across six healthcare centres to promote broad participation in immunisation programs. Advocacy visits were conducted with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), NMA, traditional and religious leaders, and the BOSPHCMB, to emphasise the goals of the Zero Dose Learning Hub.
“We also initiated weekly radio jingles, regular social media posts, and a partnership with prominent Arewa celebrities to enhance awareness and community acceptance of zero-dose implementation,” said Dr. Adamu.
The ZDLH CoP in Borno State remains committed to sustained stakeholder engagement and improving community trust, as part of a long-term strategy to close the immunization gaps and ensure every child is protected.
The meeting concluded with all partners and stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to achieving equitable immunization coverage and sustaining the gains of routine immunization in Borno State.
Paradigm News reports that the zero Dose Learning hub ZDLH is implemented by the Africa Health Budget Network AHBN a consortium with African Field Epidemiology Network AFENET with Funding From GAVI.