By Muhammad Amaan
The Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Decentralized Immunization Monitoring (DIM) study by the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) under the AFENET-AHBN consortium with funding from GAVI has identified seven wards in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano state with a high prevalence of zero-dose children.
On Wednesday, 16th July, 2025, the Kano Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget accountability led by Dr Musa Muhammad Bello, AHBN State Focal Person, discussed the findings of the study conducted in May 2025, with the Kumbotso Local Government Area Primary Health Care Coordinator and the Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairmen.
A statement by Jalo Sulaiman, ZDLH Knowledge Management Officer, said the CoP advocated for the LGA team to strengthen vaccine supply and ensure effective immunization outreaches and campaigns to reduce the number of zero-dose children especially in the seven identified wards.
The seven wards with a high burden of zero-dose children are Chiranci, Challawa, Danbare, Danmaliki, Kumbotso, Kureken Sani, and Unguwar Rimi.
The Community of Practice (CoP) also presented the 2023-2024 immunization budget scorecard to the PHC Coordinator.
In his remarks, the Kumbotso LGA PHC Coordinator, Lawan Ibrahim Ahmad, appreciated the visit and pledged to improve vaccine supply and increase fixed and outreach sessions in the seven wards.
On their part, the WDC chairmen highlighted barriers to vaccine uptake, including inadequate outreach sessions and lack of involvement of the community youth in vaccine campaigns.
The WDC chairmen committed to engaging imams to mobilize parents to take their children for vaccination during campaigns, fixed and outreach sessions.
