Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a new 191
million dollars Health Systems Strengthening (HSS-3) grant to Nigeria aimed at
improving immunisation coverage and reaching underserved populations.
The initiative targets 1.8 million zero-dose children,
those who have never received any routine vaccines and aims to raise
immunisation coverage to 84 per cent by 2028.
Gavi’s Director of Health Systems and Immunisation
Strengthening, Dr Alex de Jonquières, made the announcement on Friday in Abuja.
He described the grant as one of Gavi’s largest ever,
emphasising its scale and significance.
He noted that it was the result of an inclusive
planning process led by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), state
governments, development partners, and civil society.
“The investment will support health system expansion,
particularly at the sub-national level.
“Nearly 80 per cent of the funds will be allocated to
states, and more than 10 per cent will go directly to civil society
organisations to reach the most underserved communities,” said de Jonquières.
He lauded Nigeria’s progress, citing more than 62
million children vaccinated, two million deaths averted, and the successful
introduction of nine new vaccines, including those for HPV and malaria.
He added that Gavi had invested more than 2.4 billion
dollars in Nigeria since 2000.
“This support has enabled the renovation of 493
primary healthcare centres, recruitment of 3,683 health workers, and
procurement of cold chain equipment and logistics vehicles to strengthen
immunisation delivery,” he said.
However, de Jonquières also noted that Nigeria still
bear the world’s highest burden of zero-dose children, calling for increased
domestic investment, stronger accountability, and deeper collaboration.
“As we launch this new phase, we stand at a
transformative moment. No child should die from a vaccine-preventable disease,”
he said.
He also announced an additional 100 million dollars
investment for a nationwide measles-rubella campaign in 2025, which aimed to
protect more than 100 million children, Gavi’s largest campaign in Nigeria to
date.
“This support aligns with Nigeria’s Sector-Wide
Approach (SWAp) and broader health sector reforms to drive systemic
improvements and sustainable progress in child health outcomes.”
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Christian
Munduate, urged stakeholders to view health as a public investment rather than
expenditure.
She emphasised the need for stronger collaboration
between the government and private sector to ensure sustainable health systems.
“There is a need to expand the Basic Health Care
Provision Fund (BHCPF), improve transparency in resource use, upgrade
healthcare worker training and conditions, strengthen global partnerships, and
scale up digital health solutions.
“These efforts must be seen as long-term investments
in a healthier future for all Nigerians, especially children,” she said.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in
Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to strengthening the
country’s health system through a rights-based approach grounded in governance,
transparency, and partnerships.
He highlighted governance as a critical pillar of
health systems strengthening and commended Nigeria’s progress with the SWAp.
He underscored urgent priorities, including reducing
zero-dose children, expanding malaria and HPV vaccinations, and introducing the
measles-rubella vaccine.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
HSS-3 initiative, supported by Gavi and global partners, aims to improve
healthcare access for women and children, particularly in underserved areas.
Running from 2025 to 2028, the programme will address
resource gaps, strengthen leadership and oversight, and expand primary
healthcare services across Nigeria.
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