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The Nigeria Authorities on Wednesday acquired a $9,261,920 grant from the Canadian authorities to assist the scale-up of COVID-19 vaccine service amongst excessive precedence threat teams and to strengthen the nation’s well being system.
Talking on the launch of the Canada World Initiative for Vaccine Fairness (CanGIVE) grant in Abuja, the Excessive Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, mentioned the grant is one other instance of Canada’s historic institutional relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to offer assist to Nigeria.
Mr Christoff mentioned though COVID-19 is now not a worldwide emergency, it’s nonetheless essential to strengthen public well being programs as a part of an inclusive and sustainable restoration.
“We should deliberately hyperlink up these efforts with routine immunisation and different companies,” he mentioned.
“This may also help, for instance, to achieve kids who missed routine vaccinations over the pandemic. We all know that in the end, it takes a well being system to show a vaccine into vaccination.”
He mentioned the undertaking will combine COVID-19 into the nation’s well being data programs, enhancing data administration and illness surveillance information, together with gender-responsive information.
Grant beneficiaries
Talking on the occasion, the Govt Director of the Nationwide Major Well being Care Improvement Company (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, mentioned over 75 per cent of the goal inhabitants has been reached with a minimum of one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since implementation commenced.
Mr Shuaib mentioned the vaccination programme has been applied in phases, guaranteeing that eligible populations are reached and nobody is left behind.
“Nigeria was among the many first nations to determine an digital registry and combine COVID-19 vaccination with different main healthcare companies. Our “One Nation, One Group; One Plan, One Funds” strategy displays our dedication to integrating classes realized throughout and after the pandemic into our healthcare system,” he mentioned.
He mentioned though vital progress has been made in vaccinating eligible populations, some states are performing higher than others.
“Due to this fact, this grant targets states with decrease efficiency and goals to achieve high-priority populations,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the states focused for implementation embrace Ondo, Rivers, Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Ogun, Katsina, Taraba, Anambra, Kebbi, and Edo.
Well timed
In his comment, WHO’s Nation Consultant in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, mentioned the grant got here on the proper time to assist enhance protection and uptake of vaccine among the many precedence populations.
Mr Mulombo mentioned as of now, 14 states are performing lower than 50 per cent vaccination protection of their goal inhabitants.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: 67 million kids missed immunisation in two years UNICEF
“We nonetheless have some weak populations that aren’t sufficiently lined. Key amongst these subgroups are the aged from 50 years and above, individuals with co-morbidities, well being staff, individuals residing in humanitarian and safety compromised communities and the pregnant girls,” he mentioned.
He mentioned though appreciable achievements have been made within the struggle towards COVID-19, “we’re nonetheless in danger as circumstances are nonetheless reported in numerous nations.”
“I want to take this chance to warning all of us on the necessity to proceed defending ourselves by finishing the first sequence of COVID-19 vaccination and for individuals who have accomplished to proceed with the booster dose schedule,” he mentioned.
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