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UNICEF, Gates, Dangote commend Yobe’s immunisation coverage for children

By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
27 February 2020   |   3:02 am
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote yesterday commended the Yobe State healthcare delivery system, especially routine immunisation for children.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote yesterday commended the Yobe State healthcare delivery system, especially routine immunisation for children.

They made the commendation at the 2019 end of year review on routine immunisation and primary healthcare performances in the state.

Yobe’s routine immunisation was signed under the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation and Dangote Foundation.

Yesterday’s meeting, which was held via video-conference, was joined by Dangote and a representative of Bill Malinda and Gates Foundation.

President, Global Development Division of the Foundation, Chris Elias and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, also joined the conference from Abuja.

While commenting on the state’s healthcare delivery system, Dangote said, “I am particularly pleased with the steps Yobe State Government has taken to close the gaps between demand and supply for healthcare delivery services.

“The healthcare system has been leveraging on the local communities on routine immunisation for children. I also praise Yobe for establishing a Data Control Room.”

Urging a strengthening of the healthcare system for its sustainability, he advised the state to leverage on the MoU between his foundation and Bill Gates’ to achieve 100 per cent immunisation coverage.

Gates, who was represented at the event, also lauded the state government’s commitment and tremendous progress in the immunisation of children against diseases.

Co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates who was represented by Elias commended Yobe for the progress made on routine immunisation and other primary healthcare services.

He lauded the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni for his commitment to services in health sector through the MoU, while Ehanire said he was impressed by the smart initiative of the Wakilin Lafiya (Health Ambassador) adopted by the state government.

While reviewing performances in health sector, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana, said the MoU has rated Yobe among the best performing states in immunisation coverage and primary healthcare delivery.

He noted that 89 per cent of identified defaulters were tracked and immunised through the intensified defaulter tracking exercise in the 17 council areas of the state.

He added that 47 high volume PHCs have increased the frequency of RI sessions, in addition to secondary and tertiary health facilities that provide daily fixed sessions.

“Additional high volume PHCs will be engaged in the coming weeks,” he said, adding that State Primary Health Care Management Board has engaged 1,317 health ambassadors in three councils.

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