By Sahel Reporters, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has formally acknowledged the critical role of its development and civil society partners in strengthening routine immunisation, following the release of ₦872 million into the Immunisation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Basket Fund for the 2025 fiscal year.
Speaking at the 2025 Bauchi State Zero Dose Learning Hub Annual Scorecard Validation Meeting held at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Bauchi, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, commended partners particularly the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), and GAVI for their sustained support and technical interventions.
Dr. Mohammed noted that the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) has played a decisive role in reducing the number of zero-dose children in the state through targeted advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
He explained that engagements led by the CoP with the Deputy Governor, traditional rulers, lawmakers, and other stakeholders have translated into increased political will and improved financing for primary healthcare, especially immunisation.
According to him, the impact of the partners’ interventions is reflected in the state’s growing investment in health, including a proposed allocation of about ₦40 billion to the State Primary Healthcare Development Board in the 2026 appropriation.
He described the AHBN/AFENET Zero Dose Learning Hub as “one of the most impactful interventions in Bauchi’s health sector,” adding that its support has strengthened accountability, planning, and evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Mohammed assured that Bauchi State remains committed to sustaining the 15 per cent health budget allocation in line with the Abuja Declaration, stressing that the scorecard developed with partner support has helped the state track immunisation performance, identify gaps, and design responsive strategies.
He said the validation meeting was convened to ensure transparency and accuracy of reported indicators.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Focal Person of AHBN, Dr. Hassan Shuaibu, explained that the Zero Dose Learning Hub project is being implemented in Bauchi, Borno, Kano, and Sokoto States, with funding support from GAVI.
He said the project focuses on advocacy, budget tracking, stakeholder engagement, and accountability to reach missed communities and expand routine immunisation coverage.
Lawmakers at the meeting also acknowledged the partners’ contributions, noting that their advocacy influenced the shift to fully state-funded immunisation in 2025 and strengthened legislative commitment to sustaining immunisation financing and eliminating zero-dose children in Bauchi State.
