AHBN, Zero Dose Hub urge Bauchi Govt to act on vaccines shortage

By Ahmed Ahmed 

The Bauchi State Focal Person, African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Hassan Shuaibu, together with the Zero Dose Learning Hub Community of Practice (ZDLH CoP), have called on the Bauchi State Government to urgently address persistent gaps affecting the smooth delivery of immunisation services across the state.

The call followed a two-day Caregivers Exit Interview conducted in selected Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities in Bauchi and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas, aimed at assessing caregiver satisfaction and the quality of immunisation services.

Dr. Hassan noted that despite the state’s commitment to ensuring the timely release of the ₦872 million immunisation budget, challenges such as shortages of essential immunisation consumables, weak logistics, supply chain bottlenecks, and occasional reagent stock-outs still exist especially in hard-to-reach communities.

He explained that exit interviews conducted at Kafin Liman and Kafin Madaki PHCs in Ganjuwa LGA, and Yelwa Domiciliary PHCC and Lushi PHC in Bauchi LGA revealed generally high caregiver satisfaction with the attitude of health workers, waiting times, and incentives. 

However, the recurring unavailability of drugs and minimal out-of-pocket expenses reported by some caregivers underscore the need for stronger government action.

Dr. Hassan stressed that bridging these gaps requires targeted government-led interventions, including strengthening the supply chain, ensuring uninterrupted availability of consumables, and enforcing policies that eliminate informal costs to caregivers.

He added that involving multi-sectoral stakeholders such as academia, civil society, and the media has enhanced transparency in the assessment process and provided evidence needed for policy refinement.

The exercise sought to measure caregiver satisfaction, evaluate service delivery indicators, identify gaps affecting zero-dose communities, and generate evidence for improved immunization programming.

Dr. Hassan emphasized that addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing the Zero Dose Learning Hub initiative, reducing the number of zero-dose children, and ensuring equitable vaccine access across Bauchi State.

Mrs. Fatima Umar, Deputy in charge of Yelwa Domiciliary PHC, commended AHBN for motivating caregivers and health workers, but echoed the call for government support to sustain and enhance service delivery.