By Ahmed Ahmed
Alhaji Mahmoud Babamaji, Executive Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area and Chairman Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ALGON in the state, has pledged to support Zero-Dose activities and achieve Universal Immunization Coverage across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state
Babamaji stated during a recent advocacy visit by the Bauchi State Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) in his office on Thursday in Bauchi
Alhaji Babamaji committed to utilizing his position and local government autonomy to aid ongoing interventions targeting underserved communities.
He expressed gratitude to the African Health Budget Network (AHBN) and African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) for selecting Bauchi LGA as a pilot area for the Zero Dose Learning Hub.
Led by Dr. Hassan Shuaibu Musa, the AHBN Bauchi State Focal Lead, the CoP team urged the chairman to increase immunization budgetary allocation to support zero-dose communities.
“To Implement Zero Dose activities in the local government areas and achieve Universal Immunization Coverage in the LGA and the state.
“Support ongoing Interventions targeting underserved communities and missed settlements,” the team lead said
The Community of Practice is a multidisciplinary group of experts from various sectors, aiming to review immunization budget allocation, release, accountability, tracking, and sustainability
This effort is crucial, as Nigeria still faces challenges in improving primary healthcare for mothers and children, particularly in areas like maternal health and nutrition services.
By supporting Zero-Dose communities, Bauchi State is moving closer to achieving the goals outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030, which aims to make vaccination available to everyone, everywhere, by 2030.