DECLARATION OF ACTION AFTER A 2-DAY BUDGET TRACKING TRAINING FOR MEDIA CHAMPIONS IN CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH ORGANISED BY CIVIL SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CENTRE (CISLAC) IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERSHIP FOR ADVOCACY IN CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH (PACFaH) HELD AT KINI COUNTRY HOTEL, NASARAWA STATE ON 22ND AND 23RD AUGUST, 2016

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) held a 2-day Budget Tracking Training for Media Champions in Child and Family Health. The training held at Kini Country Hotel, Akwanga Nasarawa state on 22^nd and 23^rd August, 2016 was attended by 12 media champions working in child and family health. The session aimed to bring reputable media champions advocating for, and demanding accountability in child and family health across focal states, under one roof for a training on prioritizing and amplifying child and family health issues—Nutrition, Routine Immunisation, Family Planning and management of childhood killer diseases, in the forefront of the media coverage and reportage. After exhaustive deliberations on various thematic issues, we the participants:

Recognise Media remains an essential tool to amplify issues in child and family health in effective, acceptable and credible manners.

Also recognise the linkage and integration among child and family health issues such as Nutrition, Routine Immunisation, Family Planning and Treatment of childhood killer diseases.

Express concern over less priority accords child and family health in the country; and will access accurate, authoritative and reliable sources to inform our advocacy to the relevant stakeholders to promote child and family health at all levels.

Also express worry over lack of political will to fulfilling various commitments to child and family health such as adequate and sustainable funding for routine immunisation which remains paramount to ensure appropriate vaccination, reduce rising deaths of children under-5 and avert resurgence of polio virus; effective implementation of National Strategic Plan of Action on Nutrition (NSPAN) to prevent high burden of malnutrition at all levels; adoption and effective implementation of: National Blue Print on Family Planning to avert preventable maternal deaths; and recommended guidelines (such as Amoxicillin Dispersible Tablets and Zinc/Lo-ORS) as first line treatment of pneumonia and diarrhoea by the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities (UNCoLSC) to prevent the death of children under-5

Note that immediate shortage of funding and inadequate budgetary provision for vaccine procurement has dampened efforts at interrupting polio virus transmission in Nigeria; poor political and leadership commitment to ensuring adequate accessibility to Contraceptive Commodities results in wastages of procured commodities and maternal deaths.

Also note Prompt implementation of the National Health Act 2014 is imperative to achieve adequate, affordable, reliable, accessible healthcare system at all levels.

Further note that accurate and effective reportage through appropriate fact-findings, reliable sources and certified authority are primarily to effectively advocate for adequate child and family health in the country.

Affirm that administrative bottlenecks and rigorous protocols are inherent challenges confronting timely release and judicious utilisation of allocated funds to the health care services.

Commit to build synergy and formidable force to constructively demand accountability in child and family health through information sharing, investigative journalism, evidence based and lobby-free advocacy at all levels.

Also commit to adopt policy and grassroots re-orientation advocacy reporting child and family health issues through persistent human-angle reporting

Will give desired attention and adopt due diligence tracking, monitoring and reporting health budgetary allocation, release and utilisation through creative communication, simplified and analytical approach.

Shall effectively engage investigative journalism to interrogate health budgetary processes to promote judicious utilisation of funds through the jointly established platform—Media Champions in Child and Family Health of Nigeria (MeCCFaHN).

Will support the ongoing lobby-free advocacy by Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) in the country

Polio: Kaduna urges parents to observe compulsory vaccination

Gov. El-Rufa'i

All parents have been urged to help make Polio Immunization Campaign a success by presenting all their children below the age of five available for immunization, stressing that vaccination is compulsory.

This was contained in a statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesperson to Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, announcing the commencement of a new round of polio vaccination in the 23 local government areas in the state. The campaign reflects the government’s determination to ensure that no child is exposed to the hazards of a disease that can be prevented, and which has been eradicated in most of the world. 

Aruwan said that Malam Nasir El-Rufai himself chairs the Kaduna State Taskforce on Polio Eradication Initiative and Routine Immunization. At its meeting last week, the task force reiterated that children must be protected from the severe consequences of non-immunization.

He noted: “The polio task force believes that most parents would easily appreciate the need to vaccinate their children. However, the public interest to protect children against avoidable health threats has led to a decision to make polio vaccination compulsory.

“The state cannot tolerate a situation where the laxity or levity of some parents may expose children to a bleak future. Parents and government must cooperate in guaranteeing good health for children in Kaduna State. The threat from polio is so severe that we must treat it as an emergency. All parents/guardians in the state must ensure that their children/wards are available for immunization. IMMUNIZATION IN THE STATE IS COMPULSORY, NOT OPTIONAL.

“Every parent has a duty to protect children from avoidable diseases, so that nothing hinders their chances for a better life and the realization of their full potentials. Voluntary compliance and cooperation with health officials is expected from all parents.

“The Government of Kaduna State wishes to clarify that any parent found obstructing health workers from carrying out their statutory functions will be prosecuted accordingly as prescribed by the law.

 “The government has further directed that all eligible children in transit within Kaduna State be made available for immunization at all transit sites (motor parks, road blocks, railway stations, airports etc.) during the period of the campaign. Teams of vaccinators will work with FRSC and NDLEA officials at partial roadblocks to vaccinate children below five who are in transit on highways within Kaduna State.

“The Kaduna State Government wishes to commend parents and guardians, and religious and traditional institutions for their overwhelming support for previous immunization campaigns. Their continued cooperation in the effort to eradicate polio in the state is deeply appreciated as a most worthwhile investment in the future of our children.”

Press Release: Minister of Finance risks the lives of over 7.2 million Nigerian children by holding back release of immunization funds

The lives of over 7.2 million Nigerian Children are on the line as the Minister of Finance withholds the release of N12.8bn for immunization as in the 2016 budget.

After months  of the President accent to the 2016  budget and barely five months to  the end of the year,  no releases for  implementation of Routine Immunization activities which will protect the lives  Nigerian children from vaccine preventable diseases and death.

National CSOs/Media were trained by Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) with support for the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) in Routine Immunization budget tracking and advocacy questioned the commitment of the Nigerian government to save the lives of millions of vulnerable Nigerian children. They said the non-release of the Routine Immunization funds to the relevant agencies in charge of implementation exposes Nigeria to a possible reversal of the achievements of two years since the interruption Wild Polio Virus in Nigeria.

They expressed fears that the image of Nigeria in the global community since the interruption of polio has improved but further delay of funds by the Ministry of Finance would have severe consequences in the country and global support that it receives.

It was also stated that the financial burden of polio eradication was largely borne by international donors. According to Stears Report, Nigeria’s total contributions to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative amounted to roughly $111 million between 2006 and 2013; and the estimated funding required for eradication efforts in Nigeria is $170 million just for 2016. 

Nigeria has recorded significant progress in reducing childhood mortality, and vaccines have been a significant contributor, prioritizing the sustainability of these gains will be important at this point. New vaccines such as the pentavalent vaccine have been introduced and Routine Immunization coverage has improved significantly from about 48% to 50 % in 2012 and 2013, to coverage of 87% nationwide in 2014

In a time when the country is passing through a transition  process from donor support, amidst unmet needs for Routine Immunization of childhood killer diseases like measles, meningitis, Pnuemonia, Diarrhea, Mrs. Chika Offor, coordinator of Vaccine Network in Nigeria called on the Ministry of Finance to understand that by virtue of Nigeria joining the Lower middle Income Countries (LMIC) with a GDP of about $510billion in 2014, the country will no longer enjoy the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) funding support for immunization which has made significant contribution to the country’s immunization it is important to sustain the gain achieved so far.   

It could be recalled that in 2015, Nigeria could not pay its part of the funding requirement and was able to secure a bailout fund from the World Bank, it is with this bailout fund that the country is able to sustain its contribution till the third quarter of 2016, “we have less than five months to the end of 2016 yet nothing has been released for immunization, for procurement of vaccines and other logistics. As a nation we cannot continue to depend of development partners to buy the vaccines we need in the country yet we have funds for such purposes in our budget” said Dr Aminu Magashi Garba CHR/PACFaH, Project Director.

He further said the “delay in releasing Routine Immunization funds puts the country at risk of experiencing stock out of vaccines in few months, if the Ministry of Finance is unable to priorities needs to protect the lives of under five children in the country”

Immunization is the way to go to save the lives of our children, reduce cost of health care and give the children who are the leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to live their potential, but if we as a nation cannot provide health care to our children what message are we sending to the world?

In tracking Routine Immunization funds, the CSOs and Media present decided to form a strong coalition and launch a social media campaign called #RITrackit which hopes to raise awareness of the public on immunization funding activities in the country to ensure increased accountability and transparency in funds expenditure.

Reps pledge adequate oversight on child and family health budget

Group photo of PACFaH partners during the visit to the Chairman Committee Healthcare Services (4th from left)  at National Assembly, Abuja

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Chike John Okafor has said his Committee would establish constructive collaborate with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) to work out the modality for effective oversight on the child and family health component of the 2016 budget.

The Chairman made this known during advocacy visit to the Committee by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) under the aegis of PACFaH.

He described as paramount to child and family health in the country, the four issues—family planning, nutrition, routine immunisation and childhood killer diseases, of PACFaH, stating that the Committee will give them deserved attention through adequate oversight to ensure timely release and judicious utilisation of their related fund as appropriated in the budget.

Speaking during the visit, Project Director, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP)-PACFaH, Mrs. Chinwe Onumonu explained that a woman’s ability to space and limit her pregnancies has a direct impact on her health and well-being as well as on the outcome of each pregnancy.

In the submission to the Committee, she noted: “Women constitute a large proportion of this population. 2006 census estimates that there are about 68 million females in Nigeria; out of this, 30 million are of reproductive age (15-49 years). About 6 million of this population becomes pregnant each year with about 5 million resulting to child births.

“576 women out of every 100,000 live births, die as a result of these pregnancies and childbirths. This figure translates to 111 women and young girls dying daily or 5 women every hour. Up to 30% of these are deaths can be prevented by increasing access to and uptake of contraceptives.”

While the country records 16% unmet need for family planning, Mrs. Onumonu lamented that contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) has remained the same at 10%, for the past 10 years with a marked difference between the urban and rural areas (17% and 6%), stating that the low level of contraceptive use contributes to Nigeria’s poor maternal and child health status and accounts for the high total fertility rate of almost six children per woman and the high population growth rate of 3.18% negatively impacting on the high total fertility rate of almost six children per woman and the high population growth rate of 3.18%.

“We are graciously asking you as a law maker to use your power of scrutiny and oversight to support the fulfilment of the Nigeria government commitment to: the National Health Act (2014) stipulation to allocate 1% of the consolidated revenue fund for the purpose of basic healthcare provision fund; London Commitment of achieving a contraceptive prevalence rate of 36% by 2018 to enhance maternal and child survival.

“Specifically, use your oversight function to ensure that the budget for FP in this 2016 is released timely and used for the purpose it is meant; and ensure that the 2017 budget provides adequately for operationalization of the Nigeria Family Planning Blueprint,” she added.

On Childhood Killer Diseases, the Program Director stated that in Nigeria, pneumonia and diarrhoea remain major killers of children under 5 years, accounting for about 400,000 preventable deaths, annually.

She said: “While an estimated 6.7 million cases of childhood pneumonia are reported annually, Nigeria reportedly has the second largest burden of the disease after India which has about ten times Nigeria population. Pneumonia and diarrhoea are estimated to constitute 16% and 19% respectively of all causes of death in children below the age of 5.”

Mrs. Onomonu urged the Committee to ensure that specific budget lines are created for the procurement of the drugs (Amoxicillin DT for Pneumonia; and Zinc-LO-ORS for Diarrhoea) in the 2017 Health budget; and the procurement of the aforementioned drugs (Amoxicillin DT and Zinc-LO-ORS) is included in the possible supplementary Health‎ Budget for 2016.

Also, the program Manager, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Chioma Kanu, urged the Committee on prompt oversight to ensure fulfilment of various commitments by government under existing counterpart arrangements to adequately fund child and family health in the country.

As part of submission to the Committee she explained that as Nigeria graduates from GAVI support by 2022, the legislature should consider supporting the executives to ensure sustainability in the funding for routine immunisation to avert resurgence of polio virus.

While speaking on nutrition, the Program Manager recounted that malnutrition among women and children remains a major challenge to health and human development of any country.  “Malnourished children have an increased risk of disability and premature death and are highly predisposed to infectious diseases. Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of malnutrition in Africa and globally. We urge this Committee on effective oversight to ensure adequate provision and approve funding for nutrition, create budget line for nutrition in the annual budget with adequate oversight on nutrition budget,” she urged.

Reps pledge adequate oversight on child and family health budget

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Chike John Okafor has said his Committee would establish constructive collaborate with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) to work out the modality for effective oversight on the child and family health component of the 2016 budget.

The Chairman made this known during advocacy visit to the Committee by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) under the aegis of PACFaH.

He described as paramount to child and family health in the country, the four issues—family planning, nutrition, routine immunisation and childhood killer diseases, of PACFaH, stating that the Committee will give them deserved attention through adequate oversight to ensure timely release and judicious utilisation of their related fund as appropriated in the budget.

Speaking during the visit, Project Director, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP)-PACFaH, Mrs. Chinwe Onumonu explained that a woman’s ability to space and limit her pregnancies has a direct impact on her health and well-being as well as on the outcome of each pregnancy.

In the submission to the Committee, she noted: “Women constitute a large proportion of this population. 2006 census estimates that there are about 68 million females in Nigeria; out of this, 30 million are of reproductive age (15-49 years). About 6 million of this population becomes pregnant each year with about 5 million resulting to child births.

“576 women out of every 100,000 live births, die as a result of these pregnancies and childbirths. This figure translates to 111 women and young girls dying daily or 5 women every hour. Up to 30% of these are deaths can be prevented by increasing access to and uptake of contraceptives.”

While the country records 16% unmet need for family planning, Mrs. Onumonu lamented that contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) has remained the same at 10%, for the past 10 years with a marked difference between the urban and rural areas (17% and 6%), stating that the low level of contraceptive use contributes to Nigeria’s poor maternal and child health status and accounts for the high total fertility rate of almost six children per woman and the high population growth rate of 3.18% negatively impacting on the high total fertility rate of almost six children per woman and the high population growth rate of 3.18%.

“We are graciously asking you as a law maker to use your power of scrutiny and oversight to support the fulfilment of the Nigeria government commitment to: the National Health Act (2014) stipulation to allocate 1% of the consolidated revenue fund for the purpose of basic healthcare provision fund; London Commitment of achieving a contraceptive prevalence rate of 36% by 2018 to enhance maternal and child survival.

“Specifically, use your oversight function to ensure that the budget for FP in this 2016 is released timely and used for the purpose it is meant; and ensure that the 2017 budget provides adequately for operationalization of the Nigeria Family Planning Blueprint,” she added.

On Childhood Killer Diseases, the Program Director stated that in Nigeria, pneumonia and diarrhoea remain major killers of children under 5 years, accounting for about 400,000 preventable deaths, annually.

She said: “While an estimated 6.7 million cases of childhood pneumonia are reported annually, Nigeria reportedly has the second largest burden of the disease after India which has about ten times Nigeria population. Pneumonia and diarrhoea are estimated to constitute 16% and 19% respectively of all causes of death in children below the age of 5.”

Mrs. Onomonu urged the Committee to ensure that specific budget lines are created for the procurement of the drugs (Amoxicillin DT for Pneumonia; and Zinc-LO-ORS for Diarrhoea) in the 2017 Health budget; and the procurement of the aforementioned drugs (Amoxicillin DT and Zinc-LO-ORS) is included in the possible supplementary Health‎ Budget for 2016.

Also, the program Manager, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Chioma Kanu, urged the Committee on prompt oversight to ensure fulfilment of various commitments by government under existing counterpart arrangements to adequately fund child and family health in the country.

As part of submission to the Committee she explained that as Nigeria graduates from GAVI support by 2022, the legislature should consider supporting the executives to ensure sustainability in the funding for routine immunisation to avert resurgence of polio virus.

While speaking on nutrition, the Program Manager recounted that malnutrition among women and children remains a major challenge to health and human development of any country.  “Malnourished children have an increased risk of disability and premature death and are highly predisposed to infectious diseases. Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of malnutrition in Africa and globally. We urge this Committee on effective oversight to ensure adequate provision and approve funding for nutrition, create budget line for nutrition in the annual budget with adequate oversight on nutrition budget,” she urged.

PACFaH Commends Kano State Government for releasing additional N50m for Immunization

Gov. Ganduje

Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) under the aegis of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) has commended Kano State Government for releasing additional N50 million to its immunization basket funding.

Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the Executive Governor of Kano State recently released additional N50m to the state's Routine Immunization Basket funding making the funds released by the state for its immunization activities N100m out of N250m it is expected to contribute this year as part of the counterpart funding agreement for immunization in a memorandum of understanding it signed with Mr. Bill Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

This MoU agreement and funding commitment to Immunization financing is targeted at helping the state to sustain its current polio-free status as Nigeria progresses in its final lap of polio eradication and increased coverage of immunization activities.

CHR Project Director Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba who commended the state for its commitment towards ensuring it is able to meet up with the financial requirement from the state said the release covers 40% percent of the RI funding commitment made by the state in January and is expected to release the remaining funds (N150m) which is about 60% of the state’s commitment in the MoU it signed with the philanthropists before the end of the year.

While commending the Kano State government, CHR under the auspices of PACFaH implores the state actors and stakeholders to ensure accountable and transparent utilization of the funds to achieve adequate routine Immunization program implementation and coverage.

“if the funds are spent transparently with focus on the reasons why they are released Kano state will be able to support Nigeria to remain a polio free nation and also strengthen the final push for eradication as well as ensure all immunization activities are fully funded in the state”  said Aminu Magashi

This success in attributive to CHR/PACFaH continuous advocacy to the state for improved funding of its child and family health programs and provision of technical support to the state as well as participation in high level Routine Immunization Financing and Technical Working Groups meetings.

PACFaH commends Bauchi as it meets its 75% Immunization Funding Obligation

Gov. Abubakar

Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) under the aegis of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) has commended Bauchi State government for the release of N40 million to the State Routine Immunization basket fund.

CHR-PACFaH Program Manager Ibrahim Wunti said the state government’s renewed commitment towards health development is also commendable as it has so far released N120 million which is 75% of N164 million it appropriated for its immunization activities in 2016 budget.

Wunti who monitored progress in immunization financing and programs in the state during a midyear review of a signed Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen RI in Bauchi state between the state, Bill Gates and Dangote, on behalf of PACFaH reports that the state has not witnessed any new case of Wild Polio Virus or transmission since the last three years.

The Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Barr. M. A. Abubakar released additional N40 million to the state Routine Immunization basket funding and reiterated his commitment to sustain the progress on polio eradication and immunization activities in the state during the review meeting.

This new release is the second tranche of funds being released this year by the state as part of its commitment towards sustaining the state’s polio-free status and improved immunization activities, as Nigeria progresses towards attaining its polio eradication status.

The mid-year review which was done through a video conference with Mr. Gates, Mr. Dangote, US Ambassador to Nigeria, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director Dr. Ado Muhammad, the Bauchi State governor said despite the current economic down tune in the country, his administration remains committed to equitable health care financing and focused to protect the lives of mothers and children through the implementation of Primary Health Care under-one-roof.

 He further announced that his administration has constructed additional 19 Health Centers across the state in partnership with the SDGs.

In her opening remarks the Commissioner for Health Dr Halima Mukaddas presented the state achievements from January to June 2016 based on the key milestones in the state which covers amongst many the roll out of a financial management tool at all levels with accountability measurement in the state health system and engagement of traditional rulers for improved demand creation for immunization services.

She however identified a challenge with the quality of data collected as she called for more critical intervention to address the gap