CoP Immunization Kano

𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐏 𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐔𝐁 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄.

The Kano Community of Practice (CoP) Zero Dose Learning Hub member visits kano commissioner for public Procurement, program project monitoring and evaluation Comrade Nura Iro ma'aji led by the African Health Budget Network ( AHBN ) State Focal Person , Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello on 13th October 2025.
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‎Dr. Bello Express the significant Achievement been record since the commencement of the Zero dose project in the state with an additional presentation of the immunization Budget Accountability scorecard.

However, Dr Musa indicates that , the project needs an endless support from the ministry as it's one of the pillars of agency that will strengthen advocating for timely release and effective use of immunization funds.

He also called for stronger monitoring of fund implementation at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level, especially in Sumaila and Kumbotso LGAs which are among the local governments coverage.

‎In response , the Commissioner Comrade Nura Iro Ma'aji, appreciated the engagement and assured that the ministry will continue to work with the State Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen healthcare delivery which several PHCs across the state are already being upgraded.
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'we will work in partnership with civil society organizations to overcome the burden of zero-dose children in Kano"

H.E, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo
Kano State Deputy Governor.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, KANO STATE

PRESS STATEMENT

Kano State Government Commends ZDLH Team and Pledged to Overcome the Challenge of Zero-Dose Children

The Kano State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo has commended the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) project for its significant contributions towards reducing the number of zero dose children in the state.

Gwarzo, gave the commendation during an advocacy visit by members of the ZDLH Kano Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization Budget Accountability at his residence.

In a statement by the Deputy governor's spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, he reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening routine immunization systems.

The Deputy Governor assured the CoP members that delays in the release of routine immunization funds will be addressed and stressed the importance of working in partnership with civil society and development partners to achieve shared health goals.

Among the Deputy Governor’s team was also Honorable Sa’idu Aminu Ungogo, Chairman Kano State House of Assembly on Appropriation.

The Deputy Governor further reiterated “I very much welcome this interaction with the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) team because it highlights areas where we need to strengthen our efforts and build more emphasis. Our mission and targets are clear: by 31st December 2025, we want to be able to say, with pride, that Kano State is polio-free. To achieve this, we must do whatever it takes to overcome the challenge of zero-dose children. We recognize that our partners and donors have shown remarkable commitment over the years, and they are looking to us for results. We cannot afford to lose this momentum. This is why we must all work together, with renewed dedication, so that by the end of 2025, we can celebrate the realization of this collective goal.”

The delegation, led by Hon. Muhammad Usman, Chairman of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) Advisory Board, briefed the Deputy Governor on ZDLH activities being implemented in Kano and other selected states.

The ZDLH project, implemented by a consortium of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), with funding support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, seeks to improve vaccine uptake and address the challenge of zero dose children.

Another member of the delegation, Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello, AHBN ZDLH Kano State Focal Person, highlighted the group’s advocacy and accountability efforts, including increasing awareness on immunization, promoting timely budget releases, and facilitating Decentralized Immunization Monitoring (DIM) in Kumbotso and Sumaila LGAs.

He also called for sustained government commitment through timely release of routine immunization and counterpart funds, emphasizing that this will enable effective reduction of zero dose children across the state.

He further acknowledged the leadership of the Deputy Governor as Chairman of the Kano State Task Force on Immunization.

During the visit, the delegation also presented to the Deputy Governor the ZDLH 2024 Kano State Immunization Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard, developed by AHBN and AFENET.

The scorecard highlights achievements, gaps, and recommendations, providing a strong evidence base for government, civil society, and partners to track progress and improve routine immunization outcomes.

The visit reflects the shared commitment of the Kano State Government, AHBN, AFENET, and Gavi towards reducing the burden of zero dose children and strengthening immunization systems in Kano State.

IBRAHIM GARBA SHUAIBU
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor
2nd October, 2025

AHBN Team visits Kano Deputy Governor on Zero-Dose Intervention and Budget Accountability in the state.

The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) team paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, in his capacity as Chairman of the Kano State Task Force Committee on Immunization.

The visit focused on briefing him about AHBN’s ongoing support to the state in addressing the challenge of zero-dose children, particularly in Kumbotso and Sumaila Local Government Areas—identified as high-burden locations with a significant number of unimmunized children.

During the engagement, AHBN presented the Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard, which outlined:

Progress made in budget allocation, release, and utilization

Existing gaps affecting service delivery

Practical recommendations for improving immunization outcomes across the state

In his response, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo appreciated AHBN’s commitment and impactful support to the state’s healthcare system, especially in strengthening immunization coverage and accountability structures.

THIRD QUARTER REVIEW MEETING AHBN UPHOLDS PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENTS IN ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION

THIRD QUARTER REVIEW MEETING AHBN UPHOLDS PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENTS IN ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION Africa health Budget network in partnership with AFENET and GAVI holds quarter 3 zero dose learning hub review meeting in Kano. Representing, the Executive Director AHBN Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, the AHBN National co-ordinator, technical Adviser and Advocacy for the AMGF and zero dose project Hon Usma...

Happening Now: Zero dose learning Hib(ZDLH) Quarterly 3 review meeting of the Community of practice on immunization budget tracking Accountability and sustainability.

The meeting will review this key aspects which are; to access progress and outcome from Advocacy efforts, to explore the role of Media and CSOs in amplifying ZDLH Project impact, and also on priorities and next steps for quarter 4 2025 in advancing zero dose reduction and strengthen Accountability in kano state.

The Co-chair Kano Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization Budget Accountability and Transparency Malam Salisu Yusuf, in a warm handshake with kano Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim as he made some remark towards the 2024 Kano State Immunization Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard developed by AHBN and the AFENET Consortium with funding from Gavi

"I studied your scorecard and it is well explanatory" Farouk commended.

Months ago, Some Members of the CoP paid the SSG courtesy visit and presented the 2024 Kano State Immunization Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard.

AHBN PRESENTED IMMUNIZATION BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY SCORE CARD TO NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR GENERAL STATE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT BOARD.

The advocacy visit was conducted as part of stakeholders engagement to strengthen and facilitate actions towards addressing zero Dose burden in the state.

Dr Musa M. Bello who led the delegation extended their Congratulatory Message for being appointed as DG and gave a brief about Zero Dose Learning Hub Project, right from inception in 2023 to date given a highlight on successes achieved ranging from establishment of CoP, Conduct of DIM, Production of Immunization Budget accountability Score card which revealed findings from immunization budget allocations, releases and provided recommendations for Improvement. In his separate remarks, Aqibu Hamisu requested the status of approved funds for MNCH Counterpart funding of about 180million and that of Routine Immunization of about 344million whether the money was released.

In another remarks by Mal. Salisu Yusuf CoP Co-chair CSO commended the efforts of the new DG and advocated for CSOs inclusion in the composition of Sustainable Health Commodities Supply System Monitoring and Supervision Committee to enhance credible reporting, transparency and accountability.

In his remarks the DG expressed his appreciation to AHBN for their unrelenting commitment towards addressing the burden of zero dose children, he urged the team to sustain the tempo for improve accountability of funds given to health sector. He added that, AHBN is welcome at anytime for whatever engagement to do the board. While he is responding to the status of approved funds, the DG said, such money are yet to be released but efforts are underway to secure their releases anytime from now.
DG promised to look into the recommendations offered by the scorecard for further actions.

Concerning the request for inclusion of CSO as part of the composition of the committee, the DG said, the committee is particularly an internal affairs set by the board to monitor the activities of health commodities supply but urged that, it will be more appropriate if CSOs can initiate an independent monitoring effort so as to come up with their own findings and recommendations without any influence or interference by the committee members.