Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The federal government yesterday formally took delivery of 1,580,000 doses of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines donated by the Government of Indonesia.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the handover of the 1,580,000 doses of Pentavalent vaccines by the Indonesian Ambassador, Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said the receipt of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines will go a long way to support Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme.
“We are indeed appreciative of the positive impact of the strong and ongoing partnership underpinned by mutual respect that exists between our two countries.
“This partnership has today led to the donation of 1,580,000 doses of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines to support Nigeria’s Routine Immunisation programme.
“As we all know, vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases and improve the health of our communities,” he said.
Shuaib said the Pentavalent vaccine is a critical tool for protecting children against five major childhood diseases, namely- diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
According to Shuaib, the donation is significant considering the singular importance of immunisation as the most cost effective weapon in the fight against diseases in the early childhood years.
He added: “The vaccines we have received are more than just vials of medicine; they represent hope, protection, and the promise of a brighter future for our children. They hold within them the power to save lives.
“With this donation, we are equipped with a powerful tool to strengthen our vaccination programme. It is imperative that we maximise the impact of these donated vaccines by ensuring equitable distribution and accessibility to all segments of our society.”
Shuaib said the agency will prioritise reaching vulnerable populations, marginalised communities, and remote areas where healthcare access may be limited.
“By doing so, we can bridge the gaps and ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to receive the protection these vaccines offer. The donated vaccines will be distributed to healthcare centres throughout Nigeria to ensure that they reach as many children as possible, particularly those in remote and underserved communities, where they will be instrumental in preventing countless cases of debilitating and life-threatening diseases among the most vulnerable members of our society. We will be guided by three fundamental principles: accessibility, equity, and efficiency,” he said.
In his remark, WHO Country Director, Dr. Walter Mulombo, said Nigeria is really in need of vaccines to close the gap of zero vaccine syndrome.
He said the donation will greatly help the country as it accelerates efforts to achieve that goal. “It is very important for us, especially the UN agencies, to show that we support avenues for South-South collaboration.”
According to him, beyond the gesture of donating vaccines there will be more collaboration to strengthen our capacity for local manufacture in our respective countries. He said that Indonesia is very special to WHO because that is where polio vaccines are manufactured, adding that the donation will send a strong message that Nigeria is determined to resolve the burning issue of zero dose vaccine for children.
Speaking in the same vein, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said the gesture by Indonesia demonstrated a very good relationship and collaborative effort between the two countries.
She also said that the donation will go a long to ensure availability of these vaccines for use in vaccinating vulnerable children. “We hope that the vaccines reach the children where they need and when it is needed,” she said.
Chief Operating Officer of Bio- Vaccine Nigeria, Mr. Everest Okeakpu, said that apart from showcasing the South-South cooperation, the donation by Indonesia also exemplifies the good relations between the two countries.
He said that Bio Vaccine is exploring a collaborative arrangement with the Indonesian government in an effort to achieve local manufacture of vaccines in Nigeria.
