Vaccination

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, alongside New Incentives All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE), has launched the All-Babies Livelihood Grant program to enhance routine immunisation rates. The initiative provides ₦5,000 to caregivers who complete their child’s vaccination schedule.

The launch, held at the town’s Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) in Dass, was organised by the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board (BSPHCDB). Esteemed guests included local government officials, WHO representatives, and community leaders.

Umar Faruq Abubakar, Head of Administration of Dass LGA, hailed the program as a crucial advancement in healthcare. Dan Asabe Abdullahi, State Director of Public Health, emphasized its importance amid economic challenges. He noted, “If sustained, this program will help reduce childhood deaths from preventable diseases.”

Under the initiative, caregivers will receive ₦1,000 for each of the six immunisation visits, totaling ₦6,000, plus an additional ₦5,000 upon schedule completion, amounting to ₦11,000, the NI-ABAE Stakeholder Relations Director, Nura Muhammad, highlighted the program’s potential benefits.

The Emir called the grant a timely intervention, addressing transportation barriers that hinder healthcare access. He urged caregivers to prioritise completing immunisation schedules and assured traditional leaders’ support in promoting community health.

In his closing remarks, the Emir expressed gratitude to NI-ABAE and partners for their commitment to improving immunisation efforts in Bauchi State.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The New Incentive All Babies Are Equal has recognised five local governments in Kano State with a cash award of N150,000 each for their steadfast dedication to child vaccination efforts in their respective areas. 

Mubarak Bawa, the Operations Coordinator of the programme, revealed that the selection criteria for the award included metrics such as enrollment figures, retention rates for the Penta vaccine, vaccine supply management, documentation accuracy, and the extent of vaccination-related activities, all based on data from 2023. 

Bawa disclosed this information during the ‘Kano State and LGA Award’ ceremony held at The Afficent Event Center in Nassarawa GRA, Kano.

He stated the program’s overarching goal of efficiently saving lives. 

He further stated that a significant achievement in Kano, where over 520,000 infants were enrolled, and a total disbursement exceeding N1.4 billion, facilitated more than 5 million vaccinations across the state. 

The event, conducted in collaboration with the Kano state government, aimed to recognise the dedicated efforts of individuals and organisations in boosting childhood immunisation rates and saving lives in the state. 

Out of the 44 local governments in Kano, five were awarded N150,000 each based on criteria such as enrollments, penta retention rate, vaccine supply, documentation, and activities using 2023 data.

The awarded local governments were Nassarawa, Tsanyawa, Dawakin Tofa, Takai, and Minjibir, respectively. 

He added that, “Since 2017, we have been actively coordinating with state governments and LGAs to provide cash incentives to increase childhood vaccinations in Northern Nigeria.” 

He also noted the importance of incentivizing efforts, stating, “Data shows that rewarding people for their efforts helps increase engagement and accountability—leading to a more productive and efficient system as we work toward our common goals.” 

In recognition of his outstanding dedication to enrollments, immunisation rates, activities, and stakeholder engagement, Kamilu Ahmad Musa was awarded N30,000 as the best NI-ABAE manager in Kano State. 

Dr. Nasir Mahmoud Muhammad, the Kano Director General of the Primary Healthcare Management Board, commended the New Incentive All Babies are Equal for their support towards the state’s Primary Healthcare program.  

He noted, “The New Incentive Kano State Management Board recognized local government areas that are excelling in the provision of immunization.  

“Based on the criteria and ranking, we selected the best local governments out of the 44, who gathered here and were recognized,” he added.