Maternal and Child Survival Program Nigeria - Routine Immunization Quarterly Report

Agency for International Development (USAID) cooperative agreement to introduce and support high-impact health interventions in 24 priority countries, including Nigeria. The program aims to end preventable maternal and child deaths (EPCMD) within a generation by engaging governments, policymakers, private sector leaders, healthcare providers, civil society, faith-based organizations, and communities in adopting and accelerating proven approaches to address major causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality. In Nigeria, MCSP has launched multiple activities, including a routine immunization (RI) technical assistance program in Bauchi and Sokoto states. The program aims to strengthen the RI system to increase and sustain RI coverage and reduce childhood illness and death. MCSP/Nigeria RI's program objectives are to support state-led and state-owned efforts to achieve >80% RI coverage in every ward of Bauchi State by the end of December 2017 and in Sokoto State by the end of December 2018. The program has been supporting implementation of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency's (SPHCDA's) quadripartite RI strengthening memorandum of understanding (MOU) since January 2015, and of the Sokoto SPHCDA's quadripartite RI strengthening MOU since October 2015. The program has been tasked by each state's SPHCDA, and by the three remaining MOU signatories—USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and the Dangote Foundation—to focus on providing four areas of technical assistance: monitoring and use of data, supportive supervision, community partnership, and capacity building and training. During the first quarter of Program Year 3 (PY3), which covers the period from October 1 to December 31, 2016, the program achieved several milestones in Bauchi State. The Bauchi State Government released the remaining 40 million Naira as per the signed MOU, and the program conducted a series of training sessions for healthcare workers on RI services. Additionally, the program supported the implementation of the RI strengthening plan in 15 LGAs, which resulted in a 25% increase in RI coverage compared to the same period in the previous year. In Sokoto State, the program conducted a series of monitoring and evaluation activities to assess the progress of the RI strengthening plan. The program also supported the implementation of the RI strengthening plan in 10 LGAs, which resulted in a 20% increase in RI coverage compared to the same period in the previous year. The program has identified several challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate human resources. However, the program has also identified several opportunities, including the release of additional funding by the Bauchi State Government and the commitment of the Sokoto State Government to support the RI strengthening plan. The program has made several recommendations to address the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities. These recommendations include increasing funding for the program, improving infrastructure, and increasing human resources. The program also recommends that the state governments continue to support the RI strengthening plan and provide additional funding to ensure its sustainability. Overall, the program has made significant progress in strengthening the RI system in Bauchi and Sokoto states. However, there is still much work to be done to achieve the program's objectives and ensure the sustainability of the RI strengthening plan.