Global health partners sign landmark MoU to boost child immunisation in Chad

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), alongside major global health organisations, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening routine immunisation across Chad’s 13 provinces. According to a statement issued Tuesday by ADF spokesperson Anthony Chiejina, the historic agreement brings together the Gates Foundation, GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, […]

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), alongside major global health organisations, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening routine immunisation across Chad’s 13 provinces.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by ADF spokesperson Anthony Chiejina, the historic agreement brings together the Gates Foundation, GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Government of Chad. The new pact builds on a 2019 MoU that targets three provinces.

ADF Managing Director/CEO Zouera Youssoufou signed the MoU on behalf of the foundation and highlighted the collective power of collaboration.

“This partnership is a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when governments, development partners, and philanthropic organizations unite for a common goal. By strengthening routine immunisation and working to eradicate polio, we are giving children in Chad the chance to live healthier, more productive lives,” Youssoufou said.

The three-year initiative aims to expand vaccine access to underserved areas, enhance disease surveillance, improve health worker training, and build sustainable supply chains. It will also leverage the Community Reorientation Women Network to drive demand for immunization services and boost local capacity beyond the MoU’s duration.

Prime Minister Allamaye Halina and Minister of Public Health Abdelmadjid Abderahim represented Chad at the signing event. Halina reiterated the country’s commitment to “achieving universal immunisation coverage and eliminating preventable childhood diseases.”

Speaking virtually from Geneva, GAVI CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar praised the previous MoU’s impact.
“We would like to congratulate the government of Chad for the immense achievement with the previous MoU and the increases that has been recorded in vaccination coverages particularly with the reduction in zero dose children from 45% in 2017 to 16% in 2024.”

Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, added, “At the Gates Foundation, we reaffirm our commitment to the government of Chad to help it deliver its National Immunization Strategy by providing a financing commitment of $3 million USD over the three years.”

The MoU aligns with Chad’s 2025–2030 National Immunisation Strategy and aims to increase Penta 3 coverage from 67% to 80%.