The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency said it would roll out a new community health influencers/volunteer scheme to enhance mobilisation of Nigerians to routine immunisation at the grassroots level.
The programme, to be rolled out in Sokoto within weeks, will also deepen the fight against child killer diseases and at the same time create focal persons that will supervise immunisation efforts.
NPHCDA’s Executive Director, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, stated this when he led his management team and partners on a courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in Sokoto.
The partners were led by the new USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Mr. Stephen Haykin.
Shuaib said the decision to roll out the programme in Sokoto came about as a result of the commitment of the state government to improve primary healthcare in particular and health services delivery in general.
“I am happy to say that the state government’s commitment to settle all outstanding financial commitments with partners has filled all financial gap in funding of projects. This has thrown the ball to our court and we are working to ensure full implementation of all projects on schedule,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government had received request for technical support from the state government on routine immunisation and that the request was already being implemented.
In his remarks, Tambuwal commended both USAID Nigeria and the NPHCDA for their commitment towards improving health governance structures and well-being of the people of Sokoto.
“As the ED noted, we have no funding gap that has not been filled. Our biggest concern at the moment is data generation and interpretation. We are working with all partners to improve collection of data to ensure targeted persons to get the required assistance they need,” the governor said.
He said his administration had approved the establishment of ward development committees headed by traditional rulers and other influential persons to serve as focal persons in their communities.
