CSO's Tasks Parliamentarians on Vaccine Funding

Few months ago,USAID and other International donors announced their withdrawal from funding vaccines and other projects in Nigeria and other African countries. The Civil Society Organisation, (CSO’s), and stakeholders are calling on the government to rise up to their responsibilities.  

Representing Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s), in a Press Conference, Chika Oluwakemi Offor, the CEO Vaccine Network for Disease Control, a local NGO that focuses on health for all, charged Parliamentarians to accelerate action in funding vaccines in the country. She said “catalyzing Parliamentarian leadership for immunization financing is so urgent because USAID and other International partners are concentrating in their own country. It is now time for our Parliamentarians to put their hats-on ensuring there is vaccine for all.”

Adding that Global Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), converged all Parliamentarians from 10 Countries, and Vaccine Network represented other CSO’s in Nigeria. Four Parliamentarians represented Nigeria at the event. The objectives of the meeting was to look for a way forward in Financing vaccine. And the role Parliamentarians need to play to ensure that vaccines are well funded.

In her words:

“Parliamentarians should be at the fore front ensuring that vaccines get to those that need it, their role can never be overestimated.

“They are the ones that passes the Bill and they have very important role to play.” Mrs Offor said.

Mrs Offor who said the meeting was a pair learning meeting with a lot to be learned about immunization and vaccine, also said the meeting was an eye opener to the participants.