2 days ago
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The United Nations Children Funds in collaboration with the First Lady of Katsina State, Zulaihat Radda have initiated a gender mainstreaming programme to ensure immunisation coverage in the state.
This, according to UNICEF’s Kano Field Office Chief, Mr Rahama Farah, targets coverage above 45 per cent in 2024.
Farah said this during the launch of the programme, tagged, ‘Male Involvement in Polio and Routine Immunisation,’ at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Katsina, on Wednesday.
Farah, who was represented by the agency’s Health Specialist, Dr Saudat Basheer, lauded the initiative, saying, “We are launching the birth of gender-sensitive programming. We believe that the conscious engagement of men and fathers will further improve immunisation coverage in Katsina.
“We are positive that on account of the commitment of Her Excellency, the First Lady and the Governor, and now the Majalisan Rigakafi men groups, we will push the 2024 indices for fully immunised children in Katsina above 45 per cent, and put an end to circulating poliovirus transmission in the state.
“Our children should not be dying of diseases that are easily preventable with vaccines and today, fathers and men have come together to help us achieve the goal of zero dose and polio-free Katsina.
“Our vision is to scale up this initiative so that all men and fathers become members committed to making a difference for improved immunisation coverage and global polio eradication.”
On her part, the governor’s wife described the initiative as a transformative strategy aimed at strengthening immunisation and other essential primary healthcare services in the state.
“Our journey towards achieving universal health care for every woman, child and family in our state, places a significant emphasis on gender inclusiveness and recognises the importance of men and women as partners in building healthier communities.”
Radda lamented cultural norms and lack of support from the male counterparts as a setback to the state’s immunisation coverage.
“Over the years, we have made remarkable progress in improving access to healthcare. However, some of our challenges remain low immunisation, misconception about the vaccines and limited access to primary healthcare services, which continue to threaten the health and well-being of our people, especially women and children.
“It is evident that if we do not succeed in addressing these challenges, we must adopt an innovative, community-focused strategy that can harness the collective power of our people.
“The platform was on gender mainstreaming because, in many communities, women bear the primary responsibility for the health of their families yet, they often face barriers such as lack of support from their male counterparts or cultural norms that limit their decision-making power.”
