The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has launched the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) aimed at identifying and reaching millions of children in Nigeria who have not received any routine immunization.
The ZDLH is expected to provide a framework that will generate evidence-based strategies to measure, monitor, and reach vulnerable children and communities that have been missed by routine immunization efforts.
The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is implementing the ZDLH in collaboration with the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) with support from Gavi through the NPHCDA.
During the launch of the learning hub in Abuja, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, 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.
Dr Shuaib further acknowledged the leadership provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in prioritising health in his renewed hope agenda.
In 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.
Subsequently, the government established the National Emergency Routine Immunization Coordination Centre (NERICC) to address the issue.
Since 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.
The government has implemented a range of strategic interventions to address the challenges and obstacles that have hindered its efforts to establish an effective routine immunization system.
Such initiatives include Optimized Outreach Sessions (OOS), Optimized 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.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.org.ng/unuanel-confirms-super-eagles-attacking-formidability/
The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in routine immunization efforts, resulting in suboptimal coverage rates. However, the government has emerged from this crisis with renewed determination and innovative approaches to fortify its immunization system.
The launch of the Zero Dose Learning Hub is a milestone moment in the global fight against preventable diseases.
It is a platform that aims to enhance the capabilities of individuals engaged in the administration of immunization services at both national and subnational levels.
The Zero Dose Learning Hub is not just a platform; it is a beacon of possibility, a testament to the dedication of the Nigerian government to reaching every child, and an affirmation of their unwavering belief in the power of vaccination.
It represents a promise that no child will be left behind, no matter their circumstances or where they are born.
The learning hub is expected to empower individuals to play an active role in diminishing the number of zero-dose children in Nigeria.
Dr Patrick Nguku, the Regional Technical Coordinator of AFENET, said that Nigeria was leading the pack of countries with the highest number of zero-dose children globally.
The learning hub is an innovative approach to advance the uptake of research and evidence to improve immunization policies and programming in the country.
Nigeria is the fourth country to implement the zero dose hub after Mali, Uganda and Bangladesh.
The hub will be implemented in two phases, with Bauchi, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto as priority states based on certain criteria, including insecurity and the presence of IDP camps, among other factors.
Dr Edwardo Celades, representing the UNICEF country representative in Nigeria, said that the zero dose learning hub was a critical initiative to improve immunization coverage and equity in the country.
The Nigerian government launched the GAVI Zero Dose Learning Hub in partnership with Gavi, the vaccine alliance, to ensure that every eligible child is protected through vaccination.
