WHO Names Anambra Among States To Benefit From Canada's CanGIVE Grant
Princess-Ekwi Ajide (ABS Abuja Bureau Chief)
Anambra State has been named one of the 15 states in Nigeria to benefit from Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) Grant to Nigeria.
The Canada Global Initiative, which aims to support country-led efforts to expedite COVID-19 vaccine delivery and distribution among high priority risk groups, increase vaccine confidence and generate demand, will be implemented in 14 other states of Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo alongside Anambra.
The grant will focus on community engagement, within the context of addressing inequities in service delivery and disparities in gender at sub-national geographical locations.
According to the Head of Mission and Representative of the World Health Organization, WHO, Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, at the Launch of the grant in Abuja, the grant will enable WHO Nigeria country office, provide technical support to strengthen health systems specially for data management and surveillance linked to the Transforming African Surveillance Systems (TASS) Flagship initiative, increase COVID-19 vaccine demand generation and uptake in an integrated mode with routine immunization and other PHC services.
He said even though the country has made progress in the fight against COVID-19, 14 states are performing less than 50 per cent vaccination coverage of their target population, and there are still some vulnerable populations that are not sufficiently covered
Records show that as of 17th July, 2023, 77,285, 627 persons in Nigeria have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, with 87,838,137 persons receiving at least one dose of the vaccine and 16,011,524 of those who have completed the primary series have received a booster dose of the vaccine.
Dr. Mulombo, counted some vulnerable groups to include the aged (50years and above), people with co-morbidities, health workers, people living in humanitarian and security compromised communities and pregnant women.
He cautioned that the WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) does not mean that COVID-19 is over as a global/national health threat but marks a turning point in the pandemic as in spite of considerable achievements made, citizens are still at risk of the infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries.
The Head of Mission and Representative of WHO, Nigeria harped on the need to continue protecting oneself by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and for those who have completed to continue with the booster dose schedule.
He assured the Federal Ministry of Health that WHO will continue to collaborate with partners to support government's effort to ensure that the vulnerable population are protected and the structures and health systems are strengthened, saying that they shall continue to provide technical support to implement one health approach to preparedness and response, and integrate COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programmes.
Dr. Mulombo promised that together with partners and the Federal Government of Nigeria, WHO would dedicate sustained attention and resources to preparedness and resilience to counter future threats.
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