By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi Government has created a budget line for routine immunisation in 2025 to curb zero dose situation in the state.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board made this known on Friday while receiving members of the Committee of Practice (COP) premium Hub in Bauchi.
He said the board would strengthen its accountability mechanisms on activities geared towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“We will have to request a budget line for immunisation to address zero dose in children.
“We have also added N870 million to the 2025 budget as basket fund for immunisation.
“According to our MoU, the state government in 2025 will fund the basket 100 percent,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Hassan Shuaibu, the State focal person for COP said the team’s visit was to advocate for adequate funding for Immunisation in the 2025 financial year.
He further called for deployment of outreach and mobile teams to underserved communities to fight childhood diseases in the state.
Also speaking, Mr Jinjiri Garba, Chairman of the Bauchi State Network for Civil Society Organisations (BASNEC) pledged the network’s commitment to continue on its advocacy to stakeholders to ensure prompt releases of budgeted funds to the board.
He told the meeting that civil society organisations would monitor implementations of primary healthcare services and raised concerns in areas to be improved.
He reiterated the commitments of the network in addressing issues of non compliance in uptake of immunisation in communities to improve healthcare induces in the state.