NPHCDA Laments Low Immunisation Funding, SolicitsTraditional Leaders’ Assistance
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has lamented the drastic reduction in donor funding for Polio and other Immunisation programs.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the agency revealed this yesterday in Abuja, while speaking at the 2nd Quarter Meeting Of The Northern Traditional Leaders Committee On Primary Health Care Delivery (NTLC).
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in low turnout and disruption of immunisation programs in some places. Hence the resurgence of some previously conquered diseases.
“Nigeria as we are all aware has been certified WPV free by the ARCC, however, there are cases of cVDPV2 in some states, hence the need for us as a country to jealously guard our WPV-Free status and stop the cVDPV2 transmission in our communities.
He disclosed that there were cVDPV2 outbreaks in Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara as at yesterday.
According to the NPHCDA boss, four Outbreak Response (OBRs) had been conducted using the Novelle Oral Polio Vaccine which was a preferred choice as it doesn’t seed the virus.
“However, sub-optimal performance has been recorded in all the States due to high number of missed children during the OBR. This poor quality will affect how we are able to bring this outbreak under control,” he said.
“Your Highness, it is pertinent to state that donor funding for Polio has reduced drastically,” he lamented.
“We will therefore be relying on your influence in advocating to Political leaders on the need to continue to fund Polio Outbreak Response campaigns.
“I also wish to humbly request for your continuous support in mobilising the people for the OBR campaigns and other subsequent rounds of the Polio vaccination,” said Dr. Shuaib.
He appreciated the leaders’ effort in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, especially at the Community level.
Speaking further, he applauded their decision to be vaccinated publicly, stating that it was a major contributory factor to the successful phase 1 COVID-19 vaccination roll- out.
“We once again solicit your continued support for primary health care generally with special focus on RI and maternal and child health interventions.
“On our part, we will continue to evolve strategies to improve and strengthen primary health care for the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC) on Immunisation and Primary Health Care, His Highness Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera CON, pledged to support all health and related programmes of the Federal Government.
He asked that an avenue be created to give feedback to the Agency and partners on true situation of things at the grassroots.
Speaking further, he appreciated the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for providing funds for the engagement of traditional leaders in PHC for this year and the previous years since the initiative began in 2009.
