The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has set up a 32-member committee of traditional rulers to promote health issues in rural communities. “Kaduna State is among the poor performing states in terms of routine immunisation with only 35.5 per cent of the children under one year fully immunised of all vaccines. “The lower the routine immunisation coverage, the higher the infant and under fives mortality rate.’’
He explained that the committee would serve as liaison between the agency and Emirs and Chiefs as well as communities in the state. “They are to develop the capacity plan and conduct training for traditional institutions in the state. “Collect and collate monthly vital statistics and routine immunisation data from all emirates and chiefdoms.’’
Ikara noted that the initiative would enhance sustainable community engagement in routine immunisation and enhance access to health care services. “The training which is organised in collaboration with Chigari Foundation, was also aimed at developing sustainable community-based mechanism for routine immunisation,” he said. “They are the custodians of culture in the society and people look up to them, so we are training them in order to help sensitize residents on the importance of health and immunisation. “If we want to achieve 100 per cent immunisation and address other health issues, we should use the traditional leaders because they are the ones that communicate well with the people.
