The European Commission Delegation to Nigeria has given a thumbs up on the final work plan, the so-called 'Programme Estimate', for the European Union-Partnership to Reinforce Immunisation Efficiency (EU-PRIME) project, valued at €7.56 million against the first instalment of €2.3 million.

The work plan is scheduled to run until 30 June 2009. The initial funds were earmarked for 23 Nigerian states, such as Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kwara, Sokoto and Zamfara. The six focal states of PRIME (i.e. Abia, Cross River, Gombe, Kebbi, Osun and Plateau) would receive €86 665 each. PRIME's headquarters in Nigeria is in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking to the Nigerian publication Leadership, the EC Delegation said the first instalment would be used to cover a series of actions, including bolstering the training of health workers to provide effective and better quality immunisation services in the 23 states, as well as overhauling health centres that are badly in need of repair. With respect to the workers' training, five government-approved modules will be used that are within the Basic Guide for Routine Immunisation Service Providers (BGRISP).

It should be noted that not only has the EU-PRIME project succeeded in securing immunisation equipment worth €11.38 million in the last 6 years, but it has also built a 47 000-strong workforce. The new equipment includes vaccine storage tools, like Cold Chain, vehicles and IT instruments.

The upshot of EU-PRIME is that Nigerians in selected communities will be given the opportunity to get safely and efficiently vaccinated against various diseases that affect the country, especially polio. Moreover, expertise offered from local and foreign groups, as well as technical support and project management, are key elements of EU-PRIME.

At the end of the day, raising awareness, strengthening communication and improving visibility will prove effective in improving the immunisation service delivery in Nigeria.

The EC has said that the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in this African country is one of the highest in the region. Citing figures released in 2003, the EC pointed out that the national average for fully immunised children is almost 13%, while Diptheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT) coverage is more than 24%. A number of factors have contributed to this low rate, including the collapse of the primary healthcare system and the verticalisation of immunisation programmes, the EC noted.

Besides targeting immunisation in Nigeria's 6 focal states, the EU has also granted €20.4 million to the Nigerian Government through the National Programme on Immunisation, with an objective of eradicating polio. Another €12.9 million was also given to the World Health Organization for the same goal.

PRIME - Partnership to Reinforce Immunization Efficiency

Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)