The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has pledged to continue supporting Jigawa state in building resilient local health systems.
Dr Shyam Sharan-Pathak, Chief of Health at UNICEF Nigeria, made the statement during the handover ceremony of the GAVI, PHC-MoU project to the Jigawa State Government in Dutse on Thursday.
Sharan-Pathak emphasised that UNICEF would continue assisting the state in scaling up essential services from Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, particularly routine immunisation.
He highlighted the significant milestones achieved through the programme as a testament to a strong partnership and commitment to the health of every child, youth, and mother in the state.
He lauded the Jigawa government for its co-financing of N879,250,000, representing 15.6 per cent of the state’s budget allocated to health.
“UNICEF appreciates GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, for their support to scale up PHC services, improve routine immunisation coverage, and deliver quality health services,” he stated.
Sharan-Pathak also called for increased investment and oversight to sustain current results, retain health workers, and maintain essential equipment.
In response, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, represented by his Deputy Mr Aminu Usman, commended UNICEF and its partners for their support to the state’s health sector.
He noted that the administration had prioritised the revitalisation of Primary Health Care, contributing to the funding of special health insurance coverage for 143,500 beneficiaries across 27 local governments.
Dr Muhammed Kainuwa, the State Commissioner for Health, highlighted key achievements under the three-year GAVI/State-funded support, including protecting 416,250 (70 per cent) adolescent girls against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and improving vaccine storage capacity.
Kainuwa also acknowledged traditional rulers for their role in creating awareness and mobilising support during the partnership.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Primary Health Care MoU Health Systems Strengthening initiative is a three-year programme (2022-2025) between GAVI and eight Nigerian states.
It aims to improve routine immunisation and Primary Health Care (PHC) systems.
The initiative focuses on reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases and other essential health services
