By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget tracking, accountability and sustainability had conducted a facility-based immunization budget tracking, accountability and sustainability at Sheka PHC and Rugafada PHC in Kumbotso LGA.
The exercise was conducted on Wednesday, under the leadership of AHBN Zero Dose Learning Hub State Focal Person in person of Dr Musa Muhammad Bello.
The exercise was to evaluate immunization finances utilization, accountability and sustainability among the two PHCs (high performing and low performing), in order to understand strength and gaps and to learn for the improvement of RI services thereby reducing the burden of Zero Dose Children in the state.
Kumbotso LGA is among the 15 LGAs in Kano State with high burden of Zero Dose Children. Zero Dose Children are those children who have not received any vaccine or missed some.
During the visit, members of the CoP engaged the in-charges of the two PHCs, RI coordinators, WDC and caregivers and checked on vaccines availability, RI records, solar infrastructure, Zero Dose reduction strategies, defaulters tracking mechanism and funding accountability.
CoP members learnt that Sheka PHC conducted five fixed RI sessions and two outreach sessions.
The facility has 28 Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCM) who mobilizes caregivers to patronize the facility and immunize their children and or allow them to be immunized during outreach sessions.
The VCM also works with the Ward Development Committee (WDC) and ward heads to track and mobilize defaulters.
According to the facility records on the Immunization Monitoring Chart for Pentavalent Vaccine, Sheka PHC immunized 2,393 children with Penta 1 and 2,404 with Penta 3 in October 2024
At Rugafada PHC (low performing facility), the CoP members learnt that it conducts one fixed RI session and two outreach sessions in a week mostly done by one personnel and has only two Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCM).
According to the records on the facility, Immunization Monitoring Chart for Pentavalent Vaccine, 247 children were immunized with Penta 1 and 280 children with Penta 3 in October 2024.
Narrating the secret behind the attainment of their high service performance, the in charge of Sheka PHC, Mallam Musbahu Muhammad explained it was due to vaccine supply by the State Primary Healthcare Management Board, team work and commitment to duty.
The exercise identified that the two facilities have functional Solar Direct Drives for vaccine storage and RI records are available.
However, some of the gaps identified includes shortage of consumables (syringes) and antigents at some point at Sheka PHC due to high number of clients.
While at Rugafada PHC there’s vaccine resistance from the community members couple with small number of VCM and lack of incentives for RI outreach session.
The AHBN ZDLH State Focal Person and the CoP CSOs Co-Chair in person of Mallam Salisu Yusuf commended the efforts of the state government and the staff in improving health services.
He recommended consistent supply of consumables, antigents, incentives for outreach sessions, capacity building, stakeholders’ collaboration and community awareness in order achieve maximum result and reduce the burden of Zero Dose Children in state.
Zero Dose Learning Hub project is being implemented by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Sokoto States with finding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
