GAVI gives N3bn to improve vaccine access

The funds will be used by Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency to procure vital equipment for storing vaccines and to improve data collection, both of which have been identified as key pillars in protecting children’s lives as enshrined in the government’s Saving One Million Lives Initiative.“Improving cold chain equipment will help bridge vital […]

The funds will be used by Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency to procure vital equipment for storing vaccines and to improve data collection, both of which have been identified as key pillars in protecting children’s lives as enshrined in the government’s Saving One Million Lives Initiative.
“Improving cold chain equipment will help bridge vital gaps that currently exist in Nigeria’s supply chains,” said GAVI’s CEO, Dr Seth Berkley, making the announcement in the nation’s capital Abuja.
“This will not only help Nigeria reach its Saving One Million Lives targets by improving routine immunisation, but it will also play a crucial role in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts and set the stage for forthcoming new vaccine introductions.”
Launched in 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Saving One Million Lives Initiative is a scheme aimed at expanding primary healthcare in Nigeria to significantly reduce mortality by 2015.
As part of this initiative, Nigeria has set the target to increase routine immunisation coverage to 87% by the same period. This would provide more than six million children with protection against a range of deadly and debilitating vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, meningitis, pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, hepatitis, yellow fever and tuberculosis.
“Nigeria is taking great strides to boost routine immunisation and is committed to reaching a target of 80% by the end of this year,” said Dr Ado Mohammad, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
“Through the NPHCDA and the supply chain improvement plan, which is implementation focused, quick wins are being implemented. Now with GAVI’s support we can boost coverage and meet our target of saving a million lives by 2015. Strengthening health systems and improving data collection will ultimately lead to a virtuous cycle that will provide more accurate evaluations and better delivery,” Ado said.
GAVI’s investment will include the procurement of vital refrigeration equipment at key points of the supply chain, at the Federal, state and local government area levels.
“We look forward to working with the GAVI secretariat and the government to ensure that this investment realises the goal of increasing coverage and reducing mortality,” said Jean Gough UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria. “More than 23 per cent of child deaths can be prevented through immunisation.”