The Canadian government gave the Federal Government a $9,261,920 funding on Wednesday to help scale up the COVID-19 immunisation programme among high-risk groups. The grant will also help Nigeria’s healthcare system grow.
The project is another illustration of Canada’s historical institutional relationship with the WHO to support Nigeria in the crucial work for preventing disease and protecting those most at risk, said Jamie Christoff, High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, in a speech at the grant’s Abuja launch.
Christoff stated that even if COVID-19 is no longer a worldwide emergency, strengthening public health systems is still crucial for a comprehensive and long-lasting recovery.
“We must intentionally link up these efforts with routine immunisation and other services. This can help, for example, to reach children who missed routine vaccinations over the pandemic. We know that ultimately, it takes a health system to turn a vaccine into vaccination.”
In addition, he stated that the initiative would include COVID-19 into the nation’s health information systems, boosting data collection and management for disease surveillance, including data that takes gender into account.
Christoff added that “Under CanGIVE, the WHO project will be implemented in seven countries, where Nigeria receives the greatest share of $9 million Canadian Dollars. Nigeria was also amongst the first countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses from Canada in September of 2021, and I am pleased to be able to continue Canada’s support to Nigeria with this latest project.”
Country Representative Office of the World Health Organisation in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, stated in his address that the grant has arrived at the appropriate time to help enhance vaccine coverage and uptake among priority groups.
“As of now, 14 states are performing less than 50 per cent vaccination coverage of their target population, and we still have some vulnerable populations that are not sufficiently covered. Key among these subgroups is the aged 50 years and above, people with co-morbidities, health workers, people living in humanitarian and security-compromised communities, and pregnant women.
“The WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns marks a turning point in the pandemic. The declaration does not mean COVID-19 is over as a global/national health threat. Though considerable achievements have been made, we are still at risk of infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries.
“I would like to take this opportunity, to caution all of us on the need to continue protecting ourselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and for those who have completed to continue with the booster dose schedule,” Mulombo said.
