ZDLH appreciate BASG on prompt payment of immunization counterpart funding
By Umar Moh’d
The Bauchi State Government has been commended for its prompt response in terms of counterpart funding payment for immunization in 2023 and 204.
The commendation was made over the weekend by the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Community of Practice (Cop) during the unveiling for validation, saying the 2023/ 2024 Bauchi State Immunization Scorecard, highlighting key achievements and challenges in immunization financing and delivery.
They appreciated the 100% prompt payment of State counterpart funding for immunization in the years 2023 and 2024 which according to them such efforts have greatly improved the implementation of the activities on immunization.
The meeting which took place at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Bauchi, brought together partners working around immunization in the state.
The scorecard, developed by the ZDLH Community of Practice (CoP) with support from the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), reviewed the state’s health financing data for 2023 and 2024, examined budget allocations, release proportions, and how funds align with service delivery and transparency standards.
Among the notable achievements captured in the report is the 100% payment of State counterpart funding for immunization in the years 2023 and 2024, credited to the efforts of the State Government and MoU partners.
Speaking at the validation, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed acknowledged the progress made through collaborative efforts.
“The scorecard is an effective tool for improving immunization uptake, the second validation is to ensure that all partners inputs are captured before the final version is presented to the public.”
Rilwanu Mohammed called on the CoP to continue to monitor immunization activities in the State as the State government works towards addressing the issue of zero dose.
” Having 13 zero dose local government areas is of big concern to the present administration and we must work as one to improve immunization coverage “. He added
He also urged parents, traditional and religious leaders to mobilise households to immunize the children, noting that it is cost effective, safe and free.
In their remarks, the Chairman of ZDLH CoP Bauchi, Dr. Adamu Mohammed and the Co- Chairman CSOs Jinjiri Garba, thanked stakeholders for their inputs and called for further scruitiny to ensure the document’s accuracy and relevance.
Also speaking, AFENET State Lead, Dr Habila Ismaila appreciated the leadership and support of African Health Budget Network (AHBN) in coming up with the immunization budget scorecard.
Habila Ismaila emphasized that the scorecard will guide advocacy efforts, help the Community of Practice to identify and address gaps in immunization financing across the state.
African Health Budget Network State Lead, Dr Hassan Shuaibu who presented the scorecard to stakeholders said it was designed to measure and track progress and performance aimed at increasing and sustaining routine immunization coverage to reduce zero dose children.
He told stakeholders that the 10 page document is divided into three categories which include budget summary, health financing and accountability and service delivery and transparency.
According to him, “AHBN commends the State government for its contribution to the immunization basket fund which stands at 100% for both years”.
Hassan Shuaibu added that African Health Budget Network will input all the observations made for for more acceptable scorecard.
The event marked a significant step toward strengthening accountability and improving health outcomes for children in Bauchi State through increased access to immunization services.
