The Vaccine Network for Disease Control on Wednesday visited Pharmacist Mohammed Jalo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Gombe State.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting served as part of the VNDC’s planned advocacy activities for the Partnership to Reach Zero-dose children, also known as PREACH project.
Speaking, Hon. Mohammed Usman, introduced the VNDC team while Mrs Chika Nwankwo, Programme Head at Vaccine Network for Disease Control, introduced the PREACH project.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that PREACH project is a GAVI-funded initiative through Global Health Advocacy Initiative (GHAI).
According to Nwankwo, the project aims to expand, and solidify multi-stakeholder commitment to investing in immunisation and primary healthcare strengthening through innovative domestic resource mobilisation.
She said, “The project is to increase domestic resource mobilisation for Immunisation. Ensure efficient allocation, Use and Accountability of Domestic Resources
“Timely Release of Vaccine Financing, including Gavi Co-financing obligations.”
She elaborated on the critical funding challenges faced by the country which is evident in her inability to properly release earmarked immunisation funds, and the increase of zero-dose children in the country.
“Since, Gombe is one of the 18 zero-dose states, it is important for the state government to take ownership in preparation for the inevitable exit of international donors,” she said.
Nwankwo also mentioned VNDC’s previous engagements, including meetings with national-level agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and ministries of health, finance, and budget and planning, and suggested some domestic resource mobilisation strategies that had worked in other states, such as Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.
In his response, the Permanent Secretary Jalo, welcomed the VNDC team and expressed his delight in the domestic resource mobilisation strategies.
He also mentioned that the Gombe state is doing a lot in the health sector including the revitalisation of 114 PHCs (one in each ward in the state).
“This administration had also renovated the state specialist hospital, and is currently working on three general hospitals, each in one senatorial zone,” he said.
He gave his commitment to work with the VNDC team to achieve a notable standard of success in reducing the number of zero-dose children in the state.
Also in attendance were some key officers in the ministry.
