The UN Children’s Fund has distributed 163 motorcycles to Katsina health workers for effective converge of routine immunisation against child killer diseases in the state

The UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Rahama Mohammed-Farah, said this at the launch of Coordination Centre for Routine Immunisation, an incinerator and distribution of the motorcycles on Monday in Katsina.

Mr Mohammed-Farah said, “These are part of GAVI-funded Primary Health Care Memorandum of Understanding. The three-year initiatives are aimed at strengthening routine immunisation and Primary Health Care systems. The partnership among the state government, Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF and GAVI, is to reduce morbidity and mortality, especially among children.”

He said that Katsina State was among the eight beneficiary states of the initiative, along with Bayelsa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara.

He expressed optimism that the interventions would reduce the number of unimmunised children in the eight local government areas of the state.

He listed the eight local government areas as Batagarawa, Baure, Funtua, Kankara, Katsina, Mani, Rimi and Safana.

He said that a polio vaccine campaign was ongoing in the state, and urged parents and caregivers to present their children for the vaccination.

Mr Mohammed-Farah also urged the state government to address human resource gaps by employing qualified health workers and posting them to needed health facilities in the state.

In his remarks, Governor Dikko Radda, said that the initiative was not just about mobility, but presented the commitment of his administration to ensure that every child has access to live-saving vaccines.

He added, “Vaccination is a fundamental right of every child, and it is our duty to eliminate barriers that prevent them from receiving essential services. With these motorcycles, our health workers will be better equipped to reach remote areas and serve children to make sure that no child is left behind.”

He pointed out that the vaccine was safe and effective, stressing that “let us work together to create a healthier and brighter future for our children and the state.”

The Executive Secretary, Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, spoke extensively on the government’s efforts to enhance healthcare service delivery.

He, however, identified inadequate financing, manpower and insecurity as major challenges facing primary healthcare service delivery in the state.

Mr Yahaya urged the state government to implement an automatic replacement policy for health workers, and review casual workers salary upward.

(NAN)