Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) entered a partnership in September 2021 to support the COVID-19 vaccination campaign across the country. The goal was to vaccinate a total of 1,000,000 Nigerians in Edo state, Ogun state, Nasarawa state, Adamawa state, Katsina state, and Imo state against COVID-19. Through the actions and commitment of various actors across these states, the goal was not only achieved, but it was also surpassed.
The campaign though largely successful, has not been without challenges, hence, a joint evaluation meeting was conducted by NPHCDA and NSSF to identify these challenges. The meeting which held in Abuja, had representatives of NPHCDA, NSSF, and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies of the six supported states (Edo state, Ogun state, Nasarawa state, Adamawa state, Katsina state, and Imo) present.
According to Dr Bassey, who gave the opening remarks, purposed for all stakeholders present to understand the current COVID-19 vaccination landscape in Nigeria, with a review the project achievements across the 6 supported states present.
The evaluation meeting brought to light challenges faced by the supported six states, provided an open floor for shared learnings across the states and paved a way forward for next phase of funding support by NSSF.
Some of the successes experienced by the different states could be explained in terms of increased uptake of the vaccination, developed local solutions to tackle community problems. Katsina state, was acknowledged for performing better in vaccine uptake better than the other 5 states despite the security unrest that’s currently existing.
Nasarawa set the benchmark for all other states to pattern after, as a leading state in vaccination uptake.
The meeting ended with the states advocating for more funding for covid 19 vaccination and steady supply of vaccines to prevent stockouts while promising accountability and accurate reporting of any funds received.
