More win for Jigawa state government on health coverage

Although the GAVI PHC-MoU project has finished its assignment in Jigawa state; therefore about to vacate, but the extent of impact it made on the state still speaks volumes. BAYO MUHAMMAD ALABIRA reports.  

The chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria said, Jigawa state, Dr Shyam Sharan Pathak has witnessed remarkable advancements recently in its healthcare system through the GAVI PHC-MoU project which, according to him, has come to an end.

Pathak stated this on Wednesday while handing over the project to Jigawa state government on at a meeting presided over by the state deputy governor, Engr Aminu Usman Gumel at the Conference Hall of Government House in Dutse.

Dr Pathak said the three year-old project between the state government and GAVI has been closed; therefore GAVI, he said, is leaving while the project will continue to be piloted by the state government.

Some notable achievements.

He said the achievements included a reduction in under-five mortality rate from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2023.

Additionally, he said there has been a four-fold increase in measles vaccination, five-fold increase in ante-natal care (ANC) coverage and four-fold increase in skilled birth attendance (SBA).

Pathak stressed that the project has also led to the enrolment of 29,530 individuals under the health insurance programme, covering six local government areas (LGAs) through 65 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs). 

He said, “Furthermore, 416,250 adolescent girls (70%) have been protected against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) through the HPV vaccine.

“The state government has contributed N879,250,000 million as co-financing for the MoU programme, allocating 15.6% of the state budget to health,” he added.

According to him, the partnership has also strengthened the routine immunisation services with improved storage capacity for vaccines, logistics support for vaccine distribution and the recruitment of 330 personnel, with an additional 924 personnel recruited by the government.

He said UNICEF therefore commend the Jigawa state government for its commitment to healthcare and reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the state in building a resilient health system.

“The success of the GAVI PHC-MoU project in Jigawa state serves is a model for other states to follow, demonstrating the impact of collaborative efforts in improving healthcare outcomes.” 

Dr Pathak emphasized that sustained investments and oversight are crucial to maintaining and improving the current results, retaining health workers and strengthening the healthcare system.

Child poverty in Jigawa: A call to action

Also during the launch of the Jigawa General Household Survey held on Tuesday at the Banguate Hall of the Government House, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office called on the stakeholders to take urgent measures on child poverty.

In a staggering revelation, UNICEF urged the 27 local government council chairmen in the state to take immediate action to rescue the 89.4% of children experiencing monetary poverty.

According to him, the survey’s findings are alarming, with 85.6% of children in the state facing multi-dimensional poverty, deprivation of essential services like healthcare, education and nutrition.

Farah said the situation demands for collective action and a critical role for local government chairmen to play in addressing child poverty.

He stressed the need for evidence-based planning and utilisation of data from the survey to inform decision-making. 

To tackle the challenges, Farah proposed several measures, including the approval of a social protection policy, increased budgetary allocations for child-specific programming and scaling up birth registration for children under five. These efforts aim to reduce child poverty and improve the well-being of Jigawa’s children.

The UNICEF Kano Field Office further pledged to continue supporting Jigawa State Government in addressing child poverty. 

He said with a strong partnership across multiple sectors, including health, education, and social protection, UNICEF is committed to helping the state government achieve significant milestones. 

As Farah noted, “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Jigawa’s children.”

In his remarks during the handing over of the project, the deputy governor, Engr  Gumel said a new chapter has begun in Jigawa with the closing of a project marking the end of GAVI’s programme in the state.

Gumel acknowledged the progress made through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state government and GAVI, expressing his gratitude for the organisation’s contributions, particularly in reducing child poverty.

Although GAVI has concluded its programme in Jigawa state, Engr Gumel assured that the state government would continue to build upon the foundation laid by GAVI.

Gumel said this commitment underscores the state’s dedication to advancing the welfare of its children and addressing the pressing issue of child poverty. 

He therefore said Jigawa haa moved forward and it is a clear indication that the partnership with GAVI has left a lasting legacy in the state’s efforts to create a brighter future for its youngest citizens.

In conclusion 

However, at the end of the three days programme in Dutse, the team of stakeholders visited Primary Healthcare in Aujara town in Jahun local government to observe the GAVI supported midwives on duty as well as fixed routine immunisation session and RI outreach session, among others.