MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity, in partnership with Jigawa State Ministry of Health, has successfully finalized a study to understand how healthcare is funded and how resources are managed for routine immunization services in Jigawa State. MOMENTUM is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., along with PATH, Accenture Development Partnerships, Results for Development (R4D), and CORE Group.

This research reveals that Jigawa State allocates a substantial 17 percent of its budget to healthcare, the second-highest allocation after the education sector, underscoring the state’s commitment to citizens’ well-being and offering an opportunity to increase funding for routine immunization. The study also emphasizes the importance of reducing the state’s reliance on donor funding to ensure sustainable funding for routine immunization.

While Jigawa State’s commitment to healthcare is evident, the study has uncovered critical challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of dedicated budgets for routine immunization activities in Local Government Area (LGA) plans, despite LGAs in Jigawa overseeing routine immunization through Primary Health Centers (PHCs). The study also revealed insufficient coordination among health officers at the LGA and State levels in Jigawa. Additionally, their limited experience with the health budgeting process and a general lack of knowledge about procedures during the annual budget preparation hinder the efficient utilization of available domestic funding mechanisms.

In a keynote speech on behalf of the Commissioner of Health, the Permanent Secretary o f Jigawa State’s Ministry of Health commended the collaborative approach taken in the study and development of an action plan, stating, “The government recognizes the importance of a transparent and partnership-oriented approach. We commend MOMENTUM’s commitment to actively involving us in this funding landscape study from inception to this dissemination workshop. We look forward to validating findings and co-creating the solutions that will benefit our people”.

Dr. Usman Abba Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Planning Research and Statistics Department at the Jigawa State Ministry of Health and a co-investigator in the study, emphasized that the findings of the funding landscape study will provide a valuable roadmap for enhancing resource mobilization in Jigawa State. He stated, “This is an effort that we are proud to have played a part in.”

While these findings highlight significant challenges, they also unveil numerous opportunities for action. During the co-creation workshop on day two, barriers to mobilizing domestic funding were discussed, leading to several solutions and action points to increase the prioritization of routine immunization activities in LGA plans. Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, the lead consultant, emphasized the workshop’s aim to facilitate practical solutions, stating, “We are optimistic about the positive changes that the local solutions emerging from the workshop will bring to funding routine immunization in Jigawa State.” By addressing challenges and embracing opportunities, the state is advancing towards strengthening healthcare services, including routine immunization.

For more information or to access the full Funding Landscape Study report, please contact Jose Gonzalez at jgonzalez@r4d.org.