The Kano State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) on immunization budget tracking, accountability and sustainability had conducted a facility based immunization budget tracking, accountability and sustainability at Sheka PHC and Rugafada PHC in Kumbotso LGA.
The exercise, conducted today, Wednesday 6th November, 2024 under the leadership of AHBN Zero Dose Learning Hub State Focal Person in person of Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello is to evaluate immunization finances utilization, accountability and sustainability among the two PHCs (high performing and low performing) in order to understand strength and gaps and to learn for the improvement of RI services thereby reducing the burden of Zero Dose Children in the state.
Kumbotso LGA is among the fifteen (15) LGAs in Kano State with high burden of Zero Dose Children.
Zero Dose Children are those children who have not received any vaccine or missed some.
During the visit, members of the CoP engaged the in-charges of the two PHCs, RI coordinators, WDC and caregivers regarding vaccines availability, RI records, solar infrastructure, Zero Dose reduction strategies, defaulters tracking mechanism and funding accountability.
Members of the CoP learnt that Sheka PHC is the high performing PHC in Kumbotso LGA.
The facility conducts five (5) routine immunization fixed sessions and two (2) outreach sessions with a target of reaching 33 children daily for pentavalent vaccine.
While Rugafada PHC, a low performing facility conducts one fixed RI session and two outreach sessions per week.
Narrating the secret behind the attainment of the high service performance, the in charge of Sheka PHC, Mallam Musbahu Muhammad explained it was due to team work and commitment to duty. He further highlighted some challenges like shortage of consumables like syringes and antigents at some point which he attributed to the high turnout of clients.
Haj. Amina, the in charge of Rugafada PHC attributed their low performance to vaccine resistance from the community members.
The AHBN ZDLH State Focal Person and the CoP CSOs Co-Chair in person of Mallam Salisu Yusuf commended the efforts of the the state government and the staff in improving health services and recommended consistent supply of antigents, incentives for outreach sessions, capacity building, stakeholders collaboration and community awareness in order to achieve maximum result and reduce the burden of Zero Dose Children in state.
Zero Dose Learning Hub project is being implemented by AHBN and AFENET in Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Sokoto States with funding from Global Alliance on vaccines initiative (Gavi).
