The Kano State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) conducted a facility based immunization budget tracking, accountability and sustainability at Sheka and Rugafada PHC’s in Kumbotso LGA.
The exercise, conducted on Wednesday, 6th November, 2024 under the leadership of AHBN Zero Dose Learning Hub State Focal Person Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello is to evaluate immunization finances utilization, accountability and sustainability among the two PHCs.
In order to understand strength and gaps and to learn for the improvement of RI services thereby reducing the burden of Zero Dose Children in the state.
Kumbotso LGA is among the fifteen (15) LGAs in Kano State with high burden of Zero Dose Children.
Zero Dose Children are those children who have not received any vaccine or missed some.
During the visit, members of the CoP engaged the in-charges of the two PHCs, RI coordinators, WDC and caregivers and checked on vaccines availability, RI records, solar infrastructure, Zero Dose reduction strategies, defaulters tracking mechanism and funding accountability.
CoP members learnt that Sheka PHC conducts five (5) fixed RI sessions and two (2) outreach sessions.
The facility has 28 Volunteer Community Mobilizers VCMs who mobilizes caregivers to patronize the facility and immunize their children and allow them to be immunized during outreach sessions.
The VCM’s also works with the Ward Development Committee (WDC) and ward heads to track and mobilize defaulters.
According to the facility records on the Immunization Monitoring Chart for Pentavalent Vaccine, Sheka PHC immunized 2,393 children with Penta 1 and 2,404 with Penta 3 in October 2024
At Rugafada PHC (low-performing facility), the CoP members learnt that it conducts one fixed RI session and two outreach sessions in a week, mostly done by one personnel and has only two Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCM).
According to the records on the facility Immunization Monitoring Chart for Pentavalent Vaccine, 247 children were immunized with Penta 1 and 280 children with Penta 3 in October 2024.
Narrating the secret behind the attainment of their high service performance, the in charge of Sheka PHC, Mallam Musbahu Muhammad, explained it was due to vaccine supply by the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, teamwork and commitment to duty.
Strengths identified:
The two facilities have functional Solar Direct Drives forr vaccine storage and RI records are available.
Gaps identified:
Shortage of consumables (syringes) and antigents at some point at Sheka PHC due to high number of clients. While at Rugafada PHC there’s vaccine resistance from the community members couple with small number of VCM and lack of incentives for RI outreach session.
The AHBN ZDLH State Focal Person and the CoP CSOs Co-Chair in person of Mallam Salisu Yusuf commended the efforts of the state government and the staff in improving health services and recommended consistent supply of consumables, antigents, incentives for outreach sessions, capacity building, stakeholders collaboration and community awareness in order achieve maximum result and reduce the burden of Zero Dose Children in state.
Zero Dose Learning Hub project is being implemented by AHBN and AFENET in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Sokoto States with funding from Gavi