By Praise Chinecherem
SYDANI Initiative for International Development has trained vaccinators and recorders from three local government areas in Anambra State for subsequent deployment for its special outreach program.
This will take place under its special intervention entitled “Saving Lives and Livelihood (SLL) Phase 2 project, which aims to strengthen the already-existing immunization system and services, for greater efficiency and better results.
Apart from Anambra, SLL is taking place in 9 other Nigerian states and 37 LGAs. The states are: Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, FCT, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Osun and Rivers.
Addressing participants, Dr. Obiamaka Enwezor, a Manager at Sydani Group, explained that the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) initiative was targeted at improving life-course vaccination in the State.
He said the initiative was conceptualized by the Africa CDC in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, with key objectives including the integration of life-course vaccines into routine immunization, protection of healthcare workers, and strengthening of pandemic preparedness
Enwezor explained that the project also aims to expand the scope of routine immunization to include adult vaccination.
“This refresher training is designed to strengthen what health workers already know and practice. Our goal is to ensure they begin to give adequate attention to adult populations during vaccination outreaches,” she said.
“Following the training, vaccinators and recorders will be deployed to conduct life-course vaccination outreaches and services, targeting individuals across all age groups from childhood to adulthood.
“Through the SLL Phase 2 initiative, we aim to integrate these services into the existing system, ensuring a unified and stronger approach to immunization delivery,” Enwezor added.
According to her, outreach teams will be deployed to hard-to-reach, flood-prone communities and those challenged by insecurity, where life course services, vaccines and services are needed.
“We are focusing on Anambra West, Ogbaru and Nnewi North. This is to make sure that individuals whose lives get disrupted following some of these natural disasters or incidents are not starved of healthcare services.
“The state government is also using the opportunity to reduce the number of zero dose in the three LGAs. That still fits into that life-course vaccination. However, we’re extending our tentacles to women of childbearing age and there’s HPV for nine-year-old girls”.
The Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Pharm Chisom Uchem, appreciated the SYDANI group for the intervention, which she noted would help the state to reduce the burden of zero dose on the state.
Represented by the State Immunization Officer, Edith Onwuka, the ES appealed to the vaccinators and recorders to shun sharp practices that can undermine the goal of SLL in selected LGAs.
“I thank the SYDANI Group for the wonderful work they’ve been doing in Anambra, this time with the SLL Phase 2. We want this project to affect all the available antigens in the country for immunization.
“Vaccinators and recorders, get prepared to make this project a success. We will give priority to your areas in vaccine allocation. Most importantly, don’t engage in any sharp practices (falsification of data) because if we get you, we will not take it lightly with you,” she warned.
The Director, Disease Control and Immunization in the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Placid Uliagbafusi, also advised those engaged for project implementation to work to make their LGAs rank at par with others in immunization and vaccination coverage.
“The project will close the gaps in immunization coverage in the three LGAs and that is good for the entire state. SLL phase 2 Project will help to reduce zero doses and incomplete vaccinations. We must make maximum use of what comes our way. Let us apply ourselves to this programme and make the best of it”.
Anambra State SLL Project Lead for SYDANI, Shadrach Nwekeagu, had earlier charged the vaccinators and recorders to approach the task with a sense of responsibility and patriotism, noting that Sydani is here to support them in bridging the gaps.
“We have called you here not to saddle you with additional tasks but to support you in closing the gaps in what you are already doing, implementing immunization in your various facilities and LGAs.
“Challenges such as logistics issues around outreach immunization have been identified and prioritized for this project, hence we expect that there will be improved coverage by moving the needle from where the status of our LGA immunization coverage is to where it ought to be”.
Participants took advantage of the meeting to clear their doubts about the modalities for the SLL Project and the expectations of the SYDANI group and the state government from them.
The vaccination outreaches under the SLL Project will kick-start from next week.
