By Muhammad Amaan
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has extended its congratulations to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) on the official launch of the Gavi Health Systems Strengthening 3 (HSS3) initiative in Nigeria, valued at $191,072,992.
This significant investment aims to bolster Nigeria’s health infrastructure, enhance immunisation coverage, and ensure equitable access to healthcare services across the nation.
A key justification for advancing to this new phase is the presence of approximately 2.4 million zero-dose children in Nigeria, children who have not received any routine immunisations, spread across all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Addressing this gap is crucial for improving child health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage.
In alignment with this goal, AHBN, in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and with support from Gavi, is implementing the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) in Kano, Borno, Bauchi, and Sokoto States.
The ZDLH focuses on reaching missed communities through advocacy, budget tracking, and accountability to improve immunisation coverage.
It has also established a Community of Practice, a coalition of civil society organizations, government officials, development partners, media, and community representatives, to discuss challenges, propose solutions, and advocate for increased immunization funding and better implementation.
As part of the immunisation efforts, AHBN plays a pivotal role in promoting accountability in Nigeria’s health sector.
The organisation has developed a 2024 Immunization Accountability Framework and Scorecard to improve preparedness and transparency, particularly in response to zero dose children.
This framework aids governments, development partners, and civil society organizations in monitoring financial and non-financial commitments, ensuring that health security is prioritized at both national and regional levels.
