KPMG to audit NPHCDA over immunisation fund

An audit firm, KPMG, is to probe the finances of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to increase donors’ confidence as Nigeria seeks support to fund immunisation.

The NPHCDA Executive Director, Faisal Shuaib, stated this yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with donors and development partners such as the World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), Rotary International, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), fund agencies from United States (U.S.), Canada and Japan to seek increased assistance to help Nigeria pay for immunisation.

He said the audting firm would work on the agency’s finance management system to close all loopholes and put in place measures that would make it difficult for people to line their pockets with public funds.

“In the last two to three years, donors are worried they are not sure what’s happening with NPHCDA. What we are doing is build back that trust,” he said.Meanwhile, Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, said funding needed for immunisation would more than quadruple by 2026—from $85 million to $378 million to cater for nearly eight million children born each year.

He said: “To ensure that there are no stockouts, you need to budget two years ahead. It is not like running to the shop for a pair of shoes.”