…As State Appreciates Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategies

The Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) has urged Gombe State Government to take ownership in child immunizations to reduce number of zero-dose children in the state.

VNDC’s Head of Programs Mrs Chika Nwankwo made the appeal on Wednesday, when her team met with the Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Health Pharmacist Mohammed Jalo.

A press statement signed and made available to Jewel Times by the Information Officer State’s Ministry of Health Hauwa Salami, said Mrs. Nwankwo elaborated on the critical funding challenges faced by the country which is evident in her inability to properly release the earmarked immunization funds, and the increase of zero-dose children in the country.

She said “Since Gombe is one of the 18 zero-dose states, it is important for the state government to take ownership in preparation for the inevitable exit of international donors”.

While highlighting VNDC’s previous engagements, to include meetings with national-level agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and ministries of health, finance and the ministry of budget and planning, she suggested some domestic resource mobilization strategies that had worked in other states like Lagos, Ogun and Delta.

In his response, the Permanent Secretary Pharmacist Mohammed Jalo appreciated the team, while expressing delight in the domestic resource mobilization strategies.

He said Gombe is doing a lot in the health sector including the revitalization of 114 Primary Health Centres (one in each ward of the state).

“This administration had also renovated the state specialist hospital, and is currently working on three general hospitals, each in one senatorial zone”, he added.

The permanent secretary assured of his commitment to work with the team to achieve set targets in reducing the number of zero-dose children in the state.

The meeting which took place at the ministry was part of the VNDC’s planned advocacy activities for Partnership To Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH Project).

PREACH Project; a GAVI-funded initiative through Global Health Advocacy Initiative (GHAI), aims to expand and solidify multi-stakeholder commitments to investing in immunization and primary healthcare strengthening through innovative domestic resource mobilization.

It also aimed to increase domestic resource mobilization for Immunization, efficient allocation, use and accountability of domestic resources, timely release of vaccine financing, including Gavi co-financing obligations.

In attendance at the meeting were some key officers of the ministry of health.