WELCOME SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR DISEASE CONTROL &  IMMUNIZATION NPHCDA DR. DOROTHY NWODO, ON THE 2ND COUNTRY ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK WORKSHOP FOR DEVELOPING A NIGERIAN STRATEGY FOR HEALTH AND IMMUNIZATION SYSTEM SUPPORT HELD ON 24 JULY 2017 AT EXCLUSIVE HOTEL AND SUITES

 

Protocol 

On behalf of Executive Director and entire management of NPHCDA and her partners within and outside the country. I welcome our distinguished and valued participants to this important technical worrkshop 

 

Nigeria is On its way towards developing a unique strategy for health and immunization systems support which commenced Over a fourth night ago with the Country Engagement framework inception workshop held at Benin City. As you all know the country has commenced transition from GAVI support in January 2017 up to 2022 when GAVI support for immunization and health systems strengthening support shall be withdrawn. 

 

Consequently GoN engendering a new relationship with GAVI following GAVIs Introduction of an engagement process for the development of a country strategy For health and immunuation system support with some flexibilities that can be applied to the Nigerian programmes for a successful transition. This process Which was aimed at supporting GoN in the GAVI transition phase is expected to bridge the impending Immunization financing gap in the country come 2022 when GAVI is expected to withdraw all its support to Nigeria

 

In view of the above five series of strategic engagement workshops were scheduled for the development process of Nigeria's strategy for health and immunizations systems support. This 2nd workshop is expected to consolidate on the gains of the inception workshop while also touching the strategy document further.

 

I am most delighted by the immense support and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders at the inception workshop. At this point i want to remind us that the engagement process with stake-holders in-country has ryst started and as we all know presentation of the country's strategy document to the GAVI board for endoisement is on 28 and 19 November 2017 In view of the submission deadline we are all encouraged to support the document development. 

 

I am in no doubt that the wide range of resources available at this meeting shall deliver upon the mandate of this committee. I hereby implore all participants at this meeting to work assiduously to come up with a final strategy document for the country. 

 

Thank you all.