\nThe National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Monday unveiled the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) to successfully identify and reach the millions of children who have not yet received a single routine immunisation.
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\nAt the launch in Abuja, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said that ZDLH would provide a framework for Nigeria to promptly generate evidence strategies that can be leveraged to measure, monitor and reach zero dose children and missed communities in which they live.
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\nThe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ZDLH is being implemented by the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), working as a consortium with the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN ), with support from Gavi through the NPHCDA.
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\nShuaib expressed gratitude to GAVI, AFENET, and other partners for their support in enhancing vaccination coverage for COVID-19, routine immunization, and accessibility to comprehensive primary healthcare services.
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\n\u201cThe government acknowledges the leadership provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in prioritising health in his renewed hope agenda.
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\n\u201cIn July 2017, Nigeria declared an emergency concerning routine immunization in response to the alarming findings of the 2016\/2017 MICS\/NICS report, which revealed a distressing Penta 3 coverage rate of only 33 per cent.
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\n\u201cThe government established the National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC) to address the issue.
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\n\u201cSince the inception of NERICC, immunization coverage has substantially improved throughout the country, with the 2021 NICS report indicating a notable increase, with Penta 3 coverage standing at an encouraging 57 per cent,\u201d he said.
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\nHe, however, said that the government acknowledged that it has not attained its designated goal in immunization coverage.
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\n\u201cThe government has implemented a range of strategic interventions to address the multitude of challenges and obstacles that have hindered their efforts to establish an effective routine immunization system.
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\n\u201cThese initiatives include Optimized Outreach Sessions (OOS), Optimisedv Integrated Routine Immunization Sessions (OIRIS), Routine Immunization Intensification, Quarterly Lot Quality Assurance Survey (LQAS) to access their progress, and other strategies that are gradually yielding positive outcomes,\u201d he explained.
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\nHe said that the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in routine immunization efforts, resulting in suboptimal coverage rates.
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\nHe, however, said that the government has emerged from this crisis with renewed determination and innovative approaches to fortify its immunization system.
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\n\u201cOur goal remains unwavering: to reach every eligible child and ensure that no child is left vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases,\u201d he said.
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\nHe said that the Zero Dose Learning Hub was not just a platform; \u201cIt\u2019s a beacon of possibility, a testament to our dedication to reaching every child, and an affirmation of our unwavering belief in the power of vaccination.
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\n\u201cIt represents a promise that no child will be left behind, no matter their circumstances or where they are born.
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\n\u201cThe government aims to enhance the capabilities of individuals engaged in the administration of immunization services at both national and subnational levels through the learning hub.
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\n\u201cOur aim is to empower them to play an active role in diminishing the number of zero-dose children in Nigeria.
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\n\u201cThe launch of the Zero Dose Learning Hub is a milestone moment in the global fight against preventable diseases.
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\nHe urged everyone to remember that this was not just about data and statistics; it was about lives saved, futures protected, and communities strengthened.
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\n\u201cIt\u2019s about a parent\u2019s relief, a healthcare worker\u2019s dedication, and a child\u2019s smile,\u201d he said.
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\nThe NPHCDA boss expressed its deepest gratitude to all partners, healthcare workers, advocates, and communities they serve.
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\nHe urged everyone to continue working together to ensure that every child was protected through vaccination.
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\nThe Regional Technical Coordinator, AFENET, Dr Patrick Nguku, said that Nigeria was leading the pack of countries with the highest number of zero-dose children globally
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\nNguku said that the learning hub was an innovative approach to advance the uptake of research and evidence to improve immunization policies and programming in the country.
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\n\u201cNigeria so far is the fourth country to implement the zero dose hub joining the likes of Mali, Uganda and Bangladesh
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\n\u201cThe hub will be implemented in two phases with . Bauchi Borno Kano and Sokoto as priority states based on certain criteria\u2019s bothering on insecurity, and presence of IDP camps amongst other factors,\u201d he said.
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\nAlso representing the UNICEF country representative in Nigeria, the Chief of Health, Dr Edwardo Celades, said that the zero dose learning hub was a critical initiative to improve immunization coverage and equity in the country.
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\nNAN reports that the Nigerian government launched the GAVI Zero Dose Learning Hub, in partnership with Gavi, the vaccine alliance.
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\nSource: News Agency of Nigeria
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