Sokoto:The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development (SFPD) is spearheading an initiative to vaccinate 70,000 unimmunized children across seven Local Government Areas in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This effort involves collaboration with Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), religious leaders, and traditional authorities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the foundation organized a one-day capacity-building workshop under the Sokoto Tracking and Accountability for Equitable Immunisation (S-TRACE) Project. The project is in partnership with the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHDA) and is funded by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, with support from Mannion Daniels.
Dr. Aminu Inuwa, SFPD Director of Programmes, highlighted the importance of working with local community structures to address gaps in Nigeria’s immunization system. The initiative aims to leverage the trust and cultural understanding of traditional leaders and CBOs to reach marginalized populations that conventional health systems often miss.
The S-TRACE Project seeks to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 80 percent in the target LGAs by December 2027. This will be achieved through routine immunizations, engaging traditional leaders to resolve household non-compliance, and strengthening government systems for sustainability. The targeted LGAs include Kware, Yabo, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Bodinga, Wamakko, and Wurno.
Inuwa mentioned that Connected Development (CODE) is working with the Sultan Foundation to implement the project. Various CBOs, including the Integrated Life Support for Women and Children Initiative and Jama’a Community Development Initiative, among others, will receive funding from a $600,000 project grant based on their zero-dose burden and activities planned up to December 2027.
Dr. Bello Marnona, Special Adviser to the Governor on SSPHCDA, emphasized the role of traditional and community groups in healthcare success. He urged mobilizers to ensure that every zero-dose child is connected to vaccination facilities.
Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, a prominent traditional ruler, stressed the importance of effective community mobilization and reporting to improve immunization coverage. He reaffirmed traditional rulers’ commitment to health programs across the state.
The event included presentations on zero-dose burden and immunization strategies by CODE Programmes Manager AbdulAziz Abdulmalik and SSPHDA’s Director of Disease Control, Dr. Tukur Magaji. Discussions also covered topics such as defaulter tracing and gender-sensitive engagement.