GAVI and UNICEF have called on Niger Government to sustain the level of immunisation awareness among residents and quality of primary healthcare system in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNICEF is the founding partner of the GAVI Alliance, especially on the vaccine immunisation for children.
Gavi and UNICEF programme has been working to improve immunisation coverage and reach zero-dose children in the state.
UNICEF’s Planning Specialist Health Team at Abuja, Anu John, made the call during the official close out/handover ceremony of GAVI supported primary healthcare care system on Wednesday in Minna.
John said that Niger had made significant progress in routine immunisation, noting that much work needed to be done to reach the national average.
John said to build on these achievements, the state government must ensure that the primary healthcare system received adequate funding and support.
“This will enable the state to maintain the momentum gained so far and make further progress towards achieving universal health coverage,” she said.
In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger, said the tripartite MOU signed three years ago had been successful due to Gov. Umaru Bago’s commitment to the healthcare sector.
“The MOU covered various areas, including leadership and governance, service delivery, vaccine chain and human resource for health, community mobilisation, sensitisation, advocacy among others,” he said.
According to him, the MOU has had a significant impact, enabling the state to reach over 7,000 children who had never received a single dose of immunisation.
He disclosed that while more women were now accessing safe delivery services, the state had also employed 396 nurses and midwives to provide essential services, and the employment of 1,300 healthcare workers.
Dangana emphasised the need for sustained efforts to ensure universal health coverage, citing the continued challenges of maternal and child mortality.
In his presentation, Jiya Tsado, Director, Food and Drugs and Project Manager of the State Emergency Routine Immunisation Coordination Centre (SERICC), noted that the state had also exceeded national targets in key areas.
He said the state’s achievements included Penta-3 vaccine coverage of 112.1 per cent surpassing the national target of 85 per cent, and service delivery of 92 per cent skilled attendance for women who have live birth, exceeding the national target of 80 per cent.
Tsado said 1,300 new health workers were recruited, while 396 ad-hoc staff were absorbed into the state ministry of health as permanent staffers.
“We also ensured the availability and sustained 100 per cent supply of commodities in health facilities,” he said.
He said the state government also committed N1.687 billion in human resources to the health sector with N423 million invested in upgrading primary health centres’ infrastructure and the construction of roads.
According to him, the state has captured activities in the 2025 Annual Operational Plan, including validation and dissemination workshops and absorption of ad-hoc staff to ensure the sustainability of the programme.(NAN)
