Stakeholders in the state call for improved health and immunization financing to curb on the increasing challenges of zero-dose and under-immunized children.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement convened under the BOOST Project (Better Opportunity for Optimal Service and Targeted Immunization for Zero Dose and Under-immunized Children).
The initiative is being implemented by Save the Children International with funding support from Glaxo Smith Klein.
The meeting, which brought together representatives from the State Primary Health Care Management Board, the Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Kano State Advocacy Group, and the media, focused on strategies to strengthen accountability as well as expand Routine immunization coverage.
The Co-Chair of the CSOs, Salisu Yusuf, said the session was aimed at keeping partners aligned with the project’s objectives.
He urged stakeholders to remain committed to the BOOST project work plan, noting that consistent effort was crucial to improving accountability and immunization coverage across the state.
Also speaking, Umar Ibrahim, Advocacy Officer for the BOOST Project, explained that the engagement was to review and validate the health and immunization budget tracking data for the year 2024 and the first half of 2025.
He said the process helped to measure progress, highlight challenges, and develop recommendations for policy advocacy.
While appreciating the participants, the project manager, mallam Abdullahi M.Magama said that there is need for evidence to back any advocacy activity, when ever a fact is presented it needs to have a genuine evidence.
At the meeting, participants recommended increased budgetary allocation for routine immunization services and timely releases of funds.
