The Deputy Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the State Taskforce Committee on Immunization and Primary Healthcare, Rt. Hon. Auwal Muhammad Jatau, emphasized that enhanced funding for immunization is fundamental to public health and crucial for shielding children from diseases.
He made these remarks during an advocacy visit from members of the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice, which focuses on immunization budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability for zero-dose children and underserved communities. This meeting took place at the Deputy Governor’s Office on Thursday.
Jatau further indicated that the current administration is dedicated to providing adequate financial support for the health sector to improve the well-being of the state’s residents.
He highlighted the state’s strong record in fulfilling counterpart funding commitments to the MOU basket.
According to him, “The state has fully disbursed 410 million naira as counterpart funding to the MOU basket fund, reflecting our dedication to ensuring that every child is vaccinated. Additionally, 870 million naira is included in the proposed budget for 2025.”
He stated that the government is focused on securing the necessary funding for immunizations to ensure that all children under five receive their vaccinations.
The Deputy Governor also expressed, “As the chairman of the State Taskforce on Primary Health Care, I am willing to be part of the advocacy team for funding immunizations.”
He praised the Africa Health Budget Network, a sub-partner of the African Field Epidemiology Network, for its efforts in promoting health and advocating for funding for immunizations through the Zero Dose Learning Hub.
Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, the Chief Executive Officer and Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network, noted that the advocacy efforts extend beyond budget allocation to include budget release, tracking of immunization funds at health facilities, outreach programs, cold chain infrastructure, solar energy support, and vaccine availability.
According to him, “The state has released in full the sum of 410 million naira in counterpart funding to the MOU basket fund, which clearly shows our commitment to ensuring that every child is immunized. Already, the sum of 870 million naira has been captured in the 2025 proposed budget.”
Dr. Garba urged the establishment of a dedicated budget line for zero-dose immunization and called for approval of the 870 million naira earmarked for the MOU basket in the proposed 2025 budget.
He added, “Our emphasis will now be on evidence-based advocacy to secure the release of funds for immunization and to monitor how these funds are utilized to guarantee that children receive penta vaccinations, especially given the recent diphtheria cases in the state.”
Dr. Hassan Shuaibu Musa, the focal person for AHBN, congratulated the state for fulfilling all counterpart funding payments. He explained that the network formed the community of practice as part of the learning hub to concentrate on budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability.
Jinjiri Garba, Co-chairman of the Community of Practice, urged the government to reinstate the Bauchi State Health Trust Fund as an alternative funding source for the health sector.
Additionally, the Africa Health Budget Network held a quarterly review meeting for the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice focusing on immunization budget tracking, accountability, and sustainability, targeting zero-dose children and neglected communities.
The meeting aimed to allow Community of Practice members to assess their activities since the initiative’s capacity-building efforts, review accomplishments and challenges, and refine the work plan to align with current circumstances.
