The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has urged for better access to vaccinations to improve and ensure good health coverage for the people in the state.
This call was made during a visit from the New Incentives-All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE) Initiative to his palace.
In expressing his support, the Emir encouraged the NI-ABAE staff to view their work as a sacred duty with rewards from God.
He stressed the importance of adapting approaches for different communities, suggesting collaboration with appropriate stakeholders as they expand.
The Emir highlighted the active efforts of the emirate’s health committee in ensuring quality health for the people of Kano.
“I assure you of our full support. I encourage every NI-ABAE staff to consider this work a sacred task with eventual rewards from God. Please be mindful that different people require different approaches. As you expand into other communities, collaborate with the right stakeholders and maintain a respectful approach. he said”
He assured the full support of the Kano State Emirate Council’s Committee on Health (KASECCOH) for the All Babies program, emphasizing its prior approval and support from the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar.
The Emir advised the initiative to involve relevant stakeholders promptly for advice and issue resolution in the face of challenges.
NI-ABAE’s Senior Stakeholder Manager (SSM), Zaraharadden Sabi’u, outlined the All Babies program as a symbol of progress committed to promoting and strengthening public health.
The program, launched after a house-to-house survey in selected local government areas, identified a significant barrier to caregivers bringing their babies for immunization – lack of transport funds.
Sabi’u explained that NI-ABAE provides cash incentives totaling ₦6,000 throughout six visits to caregivers who bring their children for routine vaccinations against childhood killer diseases.
Since its launch in February in Kano, the program is now operational across 41 LGAs, spanning over 1,000 public primary healthcare facilities.
It has disbursed ₦528 million to caregivers, enrolling over 250,000 children for vaccination across the state.
