Maternal and Child Survival Program Nigeria - Routine Immunization Quarterly Report Program Year 2 Third Quarter

Agency for International Development (USAID) cooperative agreement aimed at introducing and supporting high-impact health interventions in 24 priority countries, including Nigeria. The ultimate goal of MCSP is to end preventable maternal and child deaths (EPCMD) within a generation. MCSP engages 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. The MCSP/Nigeria RI program's life of program objectives in Bauchi and Sokoto states are as follows: Bauchi State aims to achieve >50% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2016 and >80% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2017. Sokoto State aims to achieve >80% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2018. The MCSP/Nigeria RI program has made significant progress in Bauchi and Sokoto states. In Bauchi State, the program has supported the State-led and State-owned efforts to achieve >50% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2016 and >80% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2017. The program has also provided technical assistance in the areas of capacity building and training, supportive supervision, monitoring and use of data, supply/cold chain, and community engagement. In Sokoto State, the program has supported the State-led and State-owned efforts to achieve >80% RI coverage in every ward by the end of December 2018. The program has also provided technical assistance in the areas of capacity building and training, supportive supervision, monitoring and use of data, supply/cold chain, and community partnership. The program has made significant progress in increasing RI coverage and reducing childhood illness and death in both states. The MCSP/Nigeria RI program has also implemented various activities to support the program's objectives. These activities include the provision of technical assistance, capacity building and training, supportive supervision, monitoring and use of data, supply/cold chain, and community engagement. The program has also established partnerships with various stakeholders, including the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and other public and private partners. The program has also faced various implementation challenges, including the need to improve the capacity of healthcare workers, the need to increase the availability and quality of RI services, and the need to improve the supply and cold chain management. The program has also faced challenges related to community engagement and participation, including the need to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of RI among community members. Despite these challenges, the MCSP/Nigeria RI program has made significant progress in increasing RI coverage and reducing childhood illness and death in both Bauchi and Sokoto states. The program has also established a strong foundation for sustaining and building on these gains in the future.