By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The African Health Budget Network (AHBN) with African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) in collaboration with the Sokoto state government have unveiled the 2024 state immunization budget scorecard.
The aim, which is to ensure attainment of zero dose immunization record in Borno, Bauchi, Kano and Sokoto states, would be achieved through the use of the scorecard to track performance, measure progress and create pathways for actionable insights on how to improve zero dose coverage especially in these states.
Addressing participants at the event, Sokoto state Director, Disease Control and Routine Immunization Programme Manager, Nasiru Abubakar, reassured that the scorecard will enable them to not only identify gaps, but also help guide them on advocacy efforts with stakeholders towards ensuring that no child is left behind.
Speaking specifically on the scorecards, Nasiru said, it scorecard provides data-driven recommendations for improved decision-making, and will also
empower state-level CSOs, professional bodies, and the media to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.
In his part, the Sokoto State African Health Budget Network Focal Person, Umar Garba Khadi, Sokoto State Focal Person said, aside tracking immunization budget, the scorecard also offers useful recommendations to help improve discovered challanges
While appraising the scorecard, Umar Khadi said the drop in budgetary release for the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) and Primary Health Care (PHC) activities including immunization from 65.8% in 2023 to 40 percent in 2024 has prompted increased advocacy for the involvement of Community of Practice (CoP) members and other State Level Civil Society Organizations in immunization activities.
Part of the recommendations to .the state government therefore include, timely release of Health Sector approved budget, rigorous engagement all stakeholders for improved immunization coverage to ensure that all zero dose children are reached as well regular updating of the online dashboard with health budget performance information.
Lending his voice, Sokoto state chairman of the Coalition of NGOs,
Bello Shehu Gwadabawa, said the scorecard launch was welcome development hence it will enable the state in tracking progress and identify obstacles in the immunization drive.
The 2024 annual immunization budget and accountability scorecard launch drew stakeholders from different walks of life including those Civil Society Organizations, local government officials, Nigeria Labour Congress, NGOs amongst others.
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