Abuja: The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the sustainable immunisation financing model in Nigeria. Rep. Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, conveyed this commitment during a multi-stakeholder technical workshop held in Abuja. Magaji emphasized the importance of the financing model in sustaining high immunisation coverage and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly in the face of diminishing donor funding.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Magaji highlighted the legislative backing provided by the National Health Act of 2014, which mandates the immunisation of children up to five years old and pregnant women against infectious diseases. He expressed concern over the current under-funding of the immunisation financing model, pointing out that domestic health sector allocations are insufficient without donor support. He called for increased government funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, alongside private sector involvement and innovative financing strategies.
The lawmaker stressed the necessity of transitioning from donor-dependency to sustainable domestic funding, emphasizing a comprehensive approach involving public investment, private sector innovation, community engagement, and legal frameworks. He noted that initiatives like the workshop are vital for initiating this transition.
Sen. Ipalibo Harry, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, echoed these sentiments, deeming it unacceptable for Nigeria to remain among countries with high rates of low immunisation in children under five. She called for stakeholder collaboration to address this issue and praised the House Committee for organizing the timely workshop.
Dr Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu's commitment to achieving universal health coverage, aligning the workshop with the President's vision of inclusivity in immunisation administration.
Sen. Tony Nwoye, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, urged Nigerians to prioritize immunisation as a fundamental aspect of building a resilient healthcare system. He advocated for a domestic financing framework to ensure consistent access to vaccines and immunisation services.
Chika Offor, CEO of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, highlighted the necessity of predictable and sustained funding to reduce the number of unvaccinated children. She expressed satisfaction with the collective commitment to prioritizing immunisation and noted ongoing challenges, such as the diphtheria outbreak, due to vaccine shortages.