A civil society group has alleged that some individuals in Jigawa State have converted to their personal uses, the special carriers provided to keep vaccines safe and potent before use.
The program manager, Save the Children International, SCI, Dr. Abdullahi Magama raised alarm over the alleged abuse by custodians of the carrier during a workshop in the state.
He said the vaccines and their protective carriers were provided to ensure that children survive infections, learn and are protected.
“It is quite unfortunate some of the vaccine carriers provided to be used to keep vaccines safe are now being used by some individuals for their commercial activities.
”People are abusing it and using it to sell minerals and zobo drinks, Magama lamented.”
He said some of the challenges encountered in the implementation of its fight against pneumonia in children in the state, include, a shortage of manpower, dilapidated facilities, and poor health-seeking behaviour among the targeted beneficiaries.
He said although over 60,000 children have been vaccinated, oximeters and oxygen provided for 24 health facilities and 800 trained healthcare workers, there is still more to be done.
He urged the Jigawa State government to ensure proper monitoring of the facilities, champion the fight against pneumonia which is the major killer of children and implement the oxygen policy which is a strategic plan to treat pneumonia.
District Head of Kiyawa local government area, Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa noted that the local government has benefited tremendously due to the project intervention.
He said, “The health-seeking behaviour of the people has increased, infant and maternal mortality has dropped, the capacity of health workers has improved as well as the economic situation in the area.”
He also appealed to the state government to sustain the project and replicate it in other local governments for a brighter future for the state.
