By Asma’u Ahmad
The European Union (EU) has invested N22 million in Kebbi State as part of the union’s Support to Immunisation Governance in Nigeria (EU-SIGN) projects to strengthen primary healthcare in the state.
The Immunisation Expert of the project, Dr. James Attah, disclosed this at the official flag-off of the programme in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Governor Atilku Bagudu
“The 2016 quarterly assessment of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) of the state was satisfactory in terms of governance and stood at 50 per cent because of the gap in the areas of repositioning, office space, human resources for health and system development,” he said.
According to him, the 2013 report of the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) estimated that 2.8 per cent of children in the state were fully immunised one year after birth.
Dr. Attah said that the EU expectation was that stakeholders would take advantage of this intervention to demonstrate commitments and full ownership in sustaining system strengthening for efficient delivery of immunisation and other PHC services in the state.
He commended the state government, traditional rulers, heads of agencies as well as other stakeholders in immunisation and health system for their partnership.
The state Team Leader of the projects, Dr. Sherifah Ibrahim, said that the objective of the project was to contribute to reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality due to vaccine preventable diseases.
“Sustainable quality, routine immunisation services should be made permanent and available through effective PHC system,” she said.
She said the expectation was to improve the state and local government management systems and stewardship of PHC.
“We expect the projects to improve delivery of routine immunisation; improve information and knowledge generation for routine immunisation. We also expect reduction of the spread of polio infection that was
aimed at eradication of polio in Nigeria,” Dr. Sherifah added.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Usman Kambaza, said the demand for routine immunisation placed the six years of polio free campaign.
While appealing for prompt implementation of the programmes, he commended the EU for performing well in the state.
Newsmen report that the EU supported the state with direct drive solar refrigerators, vehicles and computer equipment.
