UNICEF wants fully immunised Katsina children to exceed current 45%

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the full immunisation of more children in Katsina State to exceed the current National Demographic Survey of 45 per cent for the state.

The recent National Demographic Survey indicates that only 39 per cent of children were fully immunized in the country, with Katsina having higher indices of 45 per cent.

The Chief of the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Rahma Farah, made this known on Wednesday during the launch of a gender mainstreaming initiative to boost immunisation uptake through the involvement of male parents in routine immunisation and other primary healthcare-related issues.

The Guardian reports that the initiative was introduced by UNICEF in collaboration with the office of the wife of Governor Dikko Radda, Hajiya Zulaihat.

Represented by the UNICEF Health Specialist, Hajiya Saudat Basheer, Farah said there was no need for children to be dying of diseases that were easily preventable with vaccines.

He said the initiative to involve male parents in routine immunisation is among the measures taken to ensure many more children are fully immunised against polio and other child-killer diseases in the state.

“For the first time in the immunization space, we are launching the birth of gender-sensitive programming.

“We believe that the conscious engagement of men and fathers will further improve immunization coverage in Katsina State.

“Our children should not be dying of diseases that are easily preventable with vaccines, and today, fathers and men have come together to help us achieve the goal of Zero Dose and Polio-Free Katsina.

“Our vision is to scale up this initiative so that all men and fathers become members committed to making a difference for improved immunisation coverage and global polio eradication.”

Speaking, the wife of the state governor, Hajiya Zulaihat, said that the initiative, tagged “Majalisar Rigakafi,” is aimed at strengthening demand generation for immunisation and other essential primary healthcare services.

“Over the years, we have made remarkable progress in improving access to healthcare. However, some of our challenges remain low immunisation uptake, misconceptions about the vaccines, and limited access to primary healthcare services.

“It is evident that if we are to succeed in addressing these challenges, we must adopt innovative, community-focused strategies that harness the collective power of our people,” she said.

She said that the innovative strategy empowers community members, both men and women, to engage in open and informal discussions about immunization, antenatal care, child nutrition, and other primary healthcare services.

Executive Secretary, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHDA), Dr. Shamsudeen Yahya, said there is a need to involve more male parents in issues related to immunization and child healthcare, as research indicates that zero doses are largely due to a lack of permission from the heads of families.