The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and African Field Epidemiology Network AFENET, under its Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Community of Practice (CoP), has called on mothers and caregivers in Sokoto State to prioritise child immunisation to eradicate zero-dose rates.
The appeal was made during the presentation of the 2023–2024 Immunisation Scorecard at the State Epidemiological Unit in Sokoto.
ZDLH Scorecard Unveiled: Bauchi Steps Up Fight Against Zero-Dose
Mallam Umar Garba Kadi, AHBN’s Sokoto State focal person, emphasised the critical role of immunisation in protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“We urge all mothers and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines,” Kadi said.
He also called on the Sokoto State Government and stakeholders to support initiatives that improve access to immunisation, especially in rural areas where access remains a challenge.
Kadi explained that AHBN, in collaboration with AFENET and funded by GAVI, is implementing the Zero Dose Learning Hub across four key states, Kano, Birnin Kebbi, Bauchi, and Sokoto, to close immunisation gaps and reach children who have never been vaccinated.
The event brought together key actors in health financing, service delivery, and civil society to assess progress and plan next steps.
The Immunisation Scorecard, divided into three categories: Budget Summary, Health Financing and Accountability, and Service Delivery and Transparency, provides a holistic overview of the state’s immunisation performance.
Paradigm News reports that the ZDLH CoP remains committed to fostering budget transparency and sustainability, ensuring that all children receive life-saving vaccinations.
The event witnessed a large turnout of government officials, media, CSOs and all relevant stakeholders in the health sector.