Sokoto, 11 March 2016- With low routine immunization coverage survey data at less than 40% and about 94% of deliveries at home; contributing to high infant and maternal mortality rates, Sokoto State which shares international borders with Niger Republic, is a priority state for provision of World Health Organization (WHO) technical support and partnership in implementing targeted health interventions to protect lives and save children from vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs).

In the latest push to expand access and ensure that all individuals and communities  enjoy lives free from VPDs, through equitable access to immunization as well as utilizing the immunization systems for delivery of other primary health care delivery programmes, the Organization has approved the disbursement of over 30 million Naira (about $160,000) in the first quarter of 2016 for measles outbreak control, surveillance and supplemental immunization activities as well as outreach services in the state.

Additionally, the WHO Country Representative (WR), Dr Rui Gama Vaz held separate advocacy meetings with the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and His Eminence, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III for sustained political leadership and community mobilization to reverse the existing situation.

At the Government House, Dr Vaz appreciated His Excellency for creating conducive working environment for WHO personnel in the state and positively changing the health sector landscape since assumption of office in May, 2015. He particularly noted that “it is gratifying to note that with the advent of your leadership, release of counterpart funding for immunization activities has been timely and adequate. Records have also shown that areas with habitual non-compliance to supplemental immunization have fallen drastically. This was not the case in the recent past”.

Consequently, the quality of polio SIAs continue to improve in the state since the last quarter of 2015.

Notwithstanding, the WR  encouraged His Excellency to further support outreach services and institute an accountability framework among health workers, which the WHO has already articulated for its staff,  to ensure that service delivery matches demand created for immunization among  vulnerable populations.

On his part, the Governor assured the WR and his team that the state government will continue to collaborate with WHO and other development partners to expand access to immunization as well as ensure rapid reduction in cases of child and maternal mortality in the state.

Briefing the Sultan in his palace, Dr Vaz acknowledged the role played by His Eminence in interrupting polio virus transmission in Northern Nigeria through his influence on the National Traditional Leaders Council and religious groups and further solicited his support to utilize the machinery at his disposal to involve communities on safe deliveries.

The Sultan readily accepted to initiate methods for sensitization of heads of households and explore avenues to dramatically reduce the alarming maternal rates due to unsafe delivery practices that are prevalent in the state.

He however  stressed on the need to train  local midwives who could be incorporated into the healthcare delivery system due to cultural beliefs in most parts of the north.

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Technical contacts:

Dr Fiona Braka; Tel: +234 703 170 5252; Email: brakaf [at] who.int (brakaf[at]who[dot]int)
Dr Andrew Mbewe: +234 803 535 4873; Email: mbewea [at] who.int (mbewea[at]who[dot]int)
Dr Isiaka Ayodeji: + 234 803 714 4446; Email: isiakaa [at] who.int (isiakaa[at]who[dot]int)
Media contact:

Ms  Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int (warigonc[at]who[dot]int)

Below:

01 WR and His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto
02 Governor Tambuwal welcoming Dr Vaz to Sokoto Government House while the Deputy Governor looks on