BY: ALI MOHAMMED ZANNA, MAIDUGURI
Borno State has stepped up efforts to reduce the number of children missing routine immunisation by strengthening financial accountability and stakeholder coordination within the health sector.
The renewed focus emerged at a stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri where government officials, lawmakers, civil society organisations and development partners reviewed the 2025 Immunisation Budget Accountability Scorecard.
Addressing participants, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Abdulwahab Mala, said the state’s commitment of 15 per cent of its budget to healthcare had begun to translate into improved service delivery at the grassroots.
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According to him, the allocation has supported the construction and rehabilitation of health facilities, improved supply of essential drugs and equipment, and enhanced welfare for health workers, measures he said are critical to reaching underserved communities.
Lawmakers present at the meeting assured of continued legislative support for the health sector. Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Maina Mustapha Garbo, said the current administration remains focused on strengthening primary healthcare across the state.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Mustapha Ali Benishek, said the House of Assembly would act on gaps identified in the immunisation programme, noting that effective collaboration between the legislature and the executive is key to improved health outcomes.
Dr Mala described the zero-dose challenge as a combination of access constraints, low awareness and insecurity in some areas.
He said sustained community engagement, youth participation and media advocacy had improved acceptance of routine immunisation in several local government areas, though more effort is required in remote communities.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for long-term sustainability plans to ensure that progress recorded under donor-supported initiatives is maintained by the state.
They stressed that improved transparency, consistent funding and community trust are essential to closing the zero-dose immunisation gap and strengthening routine immunisation in Borno State.