By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano State House of Assembly is committed to addressing the zero-dose challenges in the state.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Aminu Ungogo, gave the assurance when the Kano Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization budget, tracking, accountability, and sustainability paid the Assembly a courtesy visit.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the visit and acknowledged the CoP’s humanitarian efforts, reaffirming the partnership as “Partners in Progress.”
He confirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to addressing zero-dose challenges, ny allocating 16.3% of the entire 2024 budget to health and N528 million to routine immunization activities.
According to him, allocation exceeded the federal government’s health budget percentage.
Hon. assured that zero-dose coverage will remain a top priority in the 2025 budget presentation.
He suggested that collaborating with the Kano State Ministry of Local Government would further enhance the CoP’s advocacy efforts.
The Kano Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget tracking, accontability and sustainability under the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) project is being implemented by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and the Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) with funding from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
The CoP team highlighted the committee members that Kano has the highest number of Zero Dose Children in the country, with 15 local government areas having Zero Dose Children are those that have not received any vaccine.
The CoP led by Dr Musa Muhammad Bello, AHBN ZDLH Kano State Focal Person and Mallam Salisu Yusuf, CoP Co-Chair CSOs advocated for the sustained oversight function of the health committee to track progress and challenges regarding routine immunization budget releases and judicious utilization.
