By Muhammad Amaan
The Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) under the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has emphasised the crucial role women play in ensuring their children receive life-saving immunizations, particularly in Borno State.
In a statement issued to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD), Borno State ZDLH Focal Person, Dr Adamu Alhassan, stressed that empowering women is vital to addressing immunization barriers.
According to him, Borno State faces significant challenges, including security risks, distance, misinformation, and limited resources, resulting in a high number of zero-dose children who have not received any vaccinations.
To combat this, the AHBN is working with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) to promote women’s empowerment and improve immunization coverage.
The AHBN is implementing the Nigeria Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) project, which aims to reduce the number of zero-dose children in Borno, Kano, Bauchi, and Sokoto states.
He said by providing women with the right information and resources, they can make informed decisions about their children’s health and ensure they receive the vaccinations they need.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the AHBN is urging governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to continue supporting mothers in their critical role as protectors of health.
He added that by empowering women and addressing immunization barriers, we can create healthier communities for generations to come.
About AHBN The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting greater investment in health, accountability, and transparency in Africa through budget advocacy.
In partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), AHBN is implementing the Nigeria Zero-Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) project.
The initiative is being carried out in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), State Primary Health Care Boards, and partners in Borno, Kano, Bauchi, and Sokoto States.
A key component of the ZDLH project is the Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget tracking and accountability.
This advocacy and accountability platform brings together civil society organizations, government officials, media representatives, women’s groups, professional bodies, and other immunization partners to promote transparency and accountability in immunization budgeting.
The CoP serves as a vital link between policymakers, community leaders, and caregivers across the four project states, facilitating a collaborative approach to improving immunization outcomes.
