By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Maiduguri, Dr. Gerida Birukila, has launched a song tagged, “No More Zero-Dose” to commemoration the 2024 World Polio Day.
The song produced by UNICEF was released on Thursday at a brief event at the Fund office in Maiduguri.
“As we commemorate the World Polio Day today, it is an opportunity to reiterate the importance of routine immunization to the wellbeing of children”, Dr. Birukila said.
She added that: “UNICEF has collaborated with Nigerian and international superstars to produce a song underscoring the necessity of immunization for newborns and under-five children against childhood diseases, including polio, measles, tetanus and other life-threatening infections.
“This song titled: “No More Zero-Dose” features Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Timi Dakolo, Waje, Cobhams, Spyro, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Master Soumy and others highlights the need to protect our children and preserve their future.
“With a version of the song in Hausa, voiced by respected thespian, Ali Nuhu, we believe the song will boost vaccination rates in the northeast region and become a popular anthem,” Birukila said.
The UNICEF Head of Field Office Maiduguri added that “So, what are zero-dose children and what are the key drivers? Zero-dose children are defined as children who lack access to or are never reached by routine immunization services.”
“The key drivers are health related issues such as the paucity of skilled health force and vaccine availability. There are also caregiver factors like education and personal perception.
“There are cultural and geographical factors including limitations imposed by hard-to-reach terrains and sometimes insecurity.
“According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2023), the number of fully vaccinated children is 40.3 per cent in northeast Nigeria while 26 per cent of children are without vaccination in the region,” Birukila said.
According to Birukila, Borno recorded 28.5 per cent of fully vaccinated children with basic antigens, 21.2 per cent of children have been reported to have no vaccination (NDHS 2023). And there are 8 zero-dose local government areas in Boro State LGCs such as MMC, Mafa, Konduga, Jere, Gubio, Monguno, Ngala and Damboa.
“UNICEF has been providing advocacy support to the government for increased funding for health and immunization activities.
“We have also worked with the Government and partners for targeted zero-dose intervention which is ongoing across prioritized LGAs. UNICEF has facilitated integrated campaigns with a focus on reaching underserved communities.
“We have facilitated community engagement with both traditional and religious institutions. We have ensured availability of vaccines across all 27 LGAs of the State with no stock out recorded at the LGA level for all vaccines.
“UNICEF has been providing capacity building and training support for skilled health workers to deliver quality immunization services.
Therefore, on how can we improve the situation? She added,” We must continue to: Advocate for the government to increase funding for health and immunization, Advocate to the government for the increase in Human Resource for Health RH, and improve community engagement and create more demand.
“Address the issue of vaccine hesitancy and non-compliance, improve and strengthen data systems, address the issue of supply chains and vaccine stock out at health facility level and .Address the issue of access in security compromised and hard-to-reach locations,” Birukila said.
