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COVID-19 Big Catch-Up: Syria Rolls Out Initiative To Reach Millions Of Children
Syria’s initiative, known as the Big Catch-Up, has gained widespread attention and high Google ranking due to its efforts to reach millions of children who were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by the Syrian Ministry of Health (MOH), WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the initiative aims to address the decline in childhood vaccination rates caused by overburdened health systems and disrupted access to medical care.
Elanza News reports that the second round of the Big Catch-Up vaccination activity is currently underway, targeting approximately 2 million children under the age of five. More than 300,000 children are expected to be vaccinated with various childhood vaccines through fixed sites and mobile vaccination teams deployed across selected areas of coverage. This large-scale operation involves the deployment of over 7,500 health workers.
In addition to the vaccination activities, a measles vaccination campaign is being conducted in 68 out of 107 districts, targeting approximately 2 million children under the age of five, regardless of their vaccination status. The selection of these districts was based on their vaccine coverage rates and reported cases of outbreaks.
According to WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), Syria’s coverage of the first dose of measles-containing vaccine has increased to 74% in 2023, up from 52% in the previous year. However, it is still lower compared to pre-pandemic levels, which were at 76%. To effectively curb measles outbreaks, a coverage rate of at least 95% is required.
To ensure the success of the initiative, the MOH Syria and its partners are implementing proactive community engagement activities to promote the vaccination of children. These activities include partnerships with community leaders, social and mass media, and other influencers.
The Big Catch-Up initiative in Syria not only aims to immunize and protect all children up to five years old, including those who have not received any previous doses, but also seeks to strengthen routine immunization from planning to service delivery and monitoring systems.
The commitment of Gavi and other partners is to support the Ministry of Health in building a strong and resilient national immunization program, which is crucial in combating disease outbreaks.
UNICEF also remains committed to supporting the Syrian Ministry of Health and its partners in safeguarding the future of children in Syria. The Big Catch-Up initiative is seen as a vital step in overcoming the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and building a stronger and more resilient health system.
Dr. Iman Shankiti, acting WHO Representative to Syria, emphasized the importance of these efforts and affirmed the unwavering commitment to the Syrian people. Strengthening the immunization program is considered a cornerstone in achieving universal health coverage.
The global catch-up efforts supported by Gavi and other donors aim to help lower-income countries close immunization gaps, restore immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels, and strengthen immunization systems in the long term.
In the first round of the Big Catch-Up initiative in Syria, over 1.8 million children had their vaccination status screened, and those who were unvaccinated or had not received any previous doses were vaccinated. Additionally, 1.8 million children received the oral polio vaccine (bOPV), and 1 million received vitamin A, regardless of their vaccination status. The campaign involved the deployment of around 7,500 health workers and vaccinators to more than 1,000 sites.
The second round of the campaign coincides with a joint high-level mission by WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi to Syria. The mission aims to assess the current status of the immunization program and continue a dialogue on sustainable solutions in vaccine procurement and financing. The next round of the Big Catch-Up initiative is scheduled for October this year.
Elanza News reports that Syria is one of 35 countries currently conducting Big Catch-Up activities to address gaps in immunization coverage caused by the pandemic, which has led to increased outbreaks. The initiative has gained significant traffic and attention due to its crucial role in protecting the health and well-being of children in Syria.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”