Kano: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has officially handed over 28 solar-powered Primary Health Care centres to the Kano State Government. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare services and routine immunization in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the intervention is part of the CDS3 Health System Strengthening programme, specifically targeting Nigeria’s 100 zero-dose Local Government Areas (LGAs). These areas are characterized by a significant number of children who remain unvaccinated and lack access to essential healthcare services.
During the handover ceremony, GAVI Senior Country Manager for Nigeria, Ms Jessica Crawford, stated that the initiative was informed by a 2023 PHC functionality and energy needs assessment. The assessment led to the selection of 371 health centres nationwide for solarisation, with installation works scheduled between 2024 and 2025 in collaboration with eHealth Systems Africa. In Kano, 28 PHCs were prioritized based on their location in zero-dose LGAs, absence of duplication with other projects, and unreliable or non-existent electricity supply. Crawford mentioned that the project focused on facilities already providing routine immunisation, with a preference for Level-2 PHCs, and those with minimal human resources to strengthen capacity where it is most needed.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, highlighted that these facilities aim to address the issue of zero-dose children and pregnant women lacking access to routine immunisation and basic healthcare. He pointed out that Kano tops the list of Nigerian states with the highest zero-dose cases and emphasized the role of the solarised facilities in tackling this challenge. Labaran also urged communities to protect these facilities and refrain from repurposing them for personal use.
Additionally, Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr Rahama Farah, represented by Officer-in-Charge, Mr Michael Banda, noted that reliable electricity would facilitate proper vaccine storage, 24-hour service delivery, and a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. Farah reiterated that the project was guided by a 2023 PHC functionality assessment, which identified 371 health centres nationwide for solarisation. The selected 28 facilities in Kano were chosen due to their strategic location in zero-dose LGAs, absence of overlap with other interventions, limited or unreliable electricity, and active routine immunisation services. The installations, completed in partnership with eHealth Systems Africa, are expected to provide uninterrupted vaccine refrigeration, 24-hour primary health care services, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.
The handover event was attended by the Director-General of the State Primary Health Care Management Board, Prof. Salisu Ibrahim, along with representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Gates Foundation, and other partners.