CSOs commend Kano second N50m to immunisation basket fund

Civil society groups have praised Kano state government’s release of an additional N50 million into a “basket fund” to finance routine immunisation. The release brings to N100 million Kano’s total counterpart contribution to routine immunisation, after a tripartite agreement it signed with Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote. The agreement hopes to sustain commitment to funding […]

Civil society groups have praised Kano state government’s release of an additional N50 million into a “basket fund” to finance routine immunisation.

The release brings to N100 million Kano’s total counterpart contribution to routine immunisation, after a tripartite agreement it signed with Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote.

The agreement hopes to sustain commitment to funding routine immunisation in efforts to help Kano sustain its current polio-free status as “Nigeria progresses in its final lap of polio eradication and increased coverage of immunization activities, according to the group Community Health and Research Initiative, CHR.

Kano is expected to contribute another N150m – totalling its expected N250m – by year end.

CHR, under the auspices of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), implored states and stakeholders to ensure accountable and transparent use of the funds to achieve adequate implementation and coverage for routine immunisation.

“If the funds are spent transparently with focus on the reasons why they are released Kano state will be able to support Nigeria to remain a polio free nation and also strengthen the final push for eradication as well as ensure all immunization activities are fully funded in the state,”  said Aminu Magashi, project director for CHR, which has for long been advocating for Kano to increase its health funding.