In an effort to enhance immunisation coverage, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered with Katsina State’s First Lady, Zulaihat Dikko Radda. This initiative, which targets over 45% immunisation coverage, emphasises male involvement in routine immunisation efforts and was launched at the Katsina Government House Banquet Hall. UNICEF’s Kano Field Office Chief, Rahama Farah, represented by Health Specialist Dr. Saudat Basheer, stressed the importance of community-driven approaches in tackling low immunisation rates. Meanwhile, the program further seeks to overcome barriers that have obstructed progress in immunisation efforts by focusing on engaging men and fathers.
Introducing the Majalisan Rigakafi initiative marks a significant shift towards gender-inclusive programming. Traditionally, women have borne the primary responsibility for family health, yet cultural norms and a lack of male support have often limited their effectiveness. This initiative addresses these challenges head-on by bringing men into the fold. UNICEF’s strategy leverages the influence of fathers to promote vaccine acceptance and routine immunisation. The organisation believes that when men actively support vaccination efforts, misconceptions about Vaccines are dispelled, and access to primary healthcare services improves significantly.
Dikko hailed the program as a transformative step in healthcare reform.
First Lady Zulaihat Dikko Radda described the program as a transformative approach to strengthening healthcare systems in Katsina. She emphasised the critical role of gender inclusiveness in achieving universal health coverage and stressed the need for innovative, community-focused strategies to tackle the state’s healthcare challenges. Despite progress in improving access to healthcare, Katsina still struggles with low vaccination rates and persistent misconceptions about vaccines. Mrs. Radda lamented the cultural barriers that prevent women from making healthcare decisions and emphasised the need for collective action to overcome these challenges.
Therefore, this new program is a step toward breaking these barriers and creating a supportive environment where families can thrive. The challenges faced in Katsina are not unique. Globally, vaccination coverage has plateaued recently, with the COVID-19 pandemic further straining health systems. While 84% of infants worldwide received the DTP3 vaccine in 2023, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries like Nigeria. Diseases such as measles and polio act as early indicators of gaps in immunity, with millions of children missing essential vaccinations.
Healthcare and policy leaders must unite to ensure the program’s success.
As a result, the vaccination agenda must address systemic issues and leverage community-based solutions to close these gaps in the country. Initiatives like this serve as models for effectively combining global expertise with local insights to tackle these challenges. This means the success of this initiative depends on sustained collaboration among stakeholders. United Nations Children’s Fund’s commitment to scaling up the program, coupled with the active involvement of the Katsina State Government, underscores the potential for transformative change.
Moreover, the program aims to create a ripple effect that improves healthcare access for women and children by targeting men and fathers. Efforts to strengthen vaccination in Katsina align with global strategies like the Immunisation Agenda 2030, which seeks to ensure everyone benefits from life-saving vaccines. Through localised initiatives and community-driven approaches, Katsina can lead by example in achieving this vision. As the transformation program gains momentum, stakeholders must embrace this innovative approach. Healthcare providers, community leaders, and policymakers must work together to ensure the program’s success.
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On the other hand, the initiative can create a sustainable model for improving immunisation coverage nationwide by addressing cultural norms and promoting gender inclusiveness. Overall, this partnership serves as a beacon of hope for tackling long-standing healthcare challenges. With the active involvement of men and fathers, the state is poised to make significant strides toward a polio-free future and improved health outcomes for all its residents. This collaborative effort serves as a reminder that when communities come together, transformative change is not just possible but inevitable.