The Federal Government of Nigeria has been granted a substantial $9.26 million from the Canadian Government.
The generous grant will be used to expand the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to high-priority risk groups and bolster the health systems in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that Nigeria will utilize the funding to provide technical assistance in strengthening the health systems, while also increasing the demand for and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in conjunction with routine immunization and other Primary Health Care (PHC) services.
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The grant will be implemented in several states across the country, including Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Kebbi, Katsina, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo.
It was learnt that the above states will benefit greatly from the support and expertise provided by the WHO Nigeria, leading to enhanced health systems and improved access to COVID-19 vaccines for those who need them most.
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Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), spoke during the launch of Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) grant in Abuja.
Shuaib said:
“The COVID-19 vaccination program was launched in Nigeria on March 5, 2021, and thanks to the support of the federal government, state governments, and all our partners, we have reached over 75 per cent of the target population of individuals aged 18 and above with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“While we have made significant progress, we still have work to do. Several states have primary series coverage below 70 per cent, and booster doses account for just over 20 per cent of vaccinations. Therefore, this grant targets states with lower performance and aims to reach high-priority populations.”
Also, the Country Representative of WHO, Dr Walter Mulombo said:
“The WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns (PHEIC) marks a turning point in the pandemic. The declaration does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global/national health threat.
“Though considerable achievements have been made, we are still at risk of the infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries. I would like to take this opportunity to caution all of us on the need to continue protecting ourselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and for those who have completed to continue with the booster dose schedule.”
