By Muhammad Amaan
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has presented an Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard to the newly appointed Director General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (KSPHCMB), Professor Salisu Ahmad Ibrahim.
The presentation was made during an advocacy visit to Professor Ibrahim, on his recent appointment as the director general of the agency.
The advocacy visit was conducted as part of stakeholders’ engagement to strengthen and facilitate actions towards addressing zero Dose burden in the state.
Dr Musa M. Bello who led the delegation extended their congratulatory message to Prof. Ibrahim, for being appointed as DG and gave a brief about Zero Dose Learning Hub Project, right from inception in 2023 to date.
It also gave a highlight on the successes achieved ranging from establishment of CoP, Conduct of DIM, Production of Immunization Budget accountability Score card which revealed findings from immunization budget allocations, releases and provided recommendations for Improvement.
In his separate remarks, Aqibu Hamisu requested the status of approved funds for MNCH Counterpart funding of about N180 million and that of Routine Immunization of about 344million.
On his part, Malam Salisu Yusuf, CoP Co-chair CSO, commended the efforts of the new DG and advocated for CSOs inclusion in the composition of Sustainable Health Commodities Supply System Monitoring and Supervision Committee, to enhance credible reporting, transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, the DG, expressed his appreciation to AHBN for their unrelenting commitment towards addressing the burden of zero dose children, and urged the team to sustain the tempo for improve accountability of funds given to health sector.
He added that, AHBN is welcome at anytime for whatever engagement with the board.
On the status of approved funds, the DG said, the money are yet to be released, but added efforts are underway to secure their release soonest.
The DG also promised to look into the recommendations offered by the scorecard for further actions.
Concerning the request for inclusion of CSO as part of the composition of the committee, the DG said, the committee is particularly an internal affairs set by the board to monitor the activities of health commodities supply.
He, however, urged that, it will be more appropriate if the CSOs can initiate an independent monitoring effort so as to come up with their own findings and recommendations without any influence or interference by the committee members.
