Indonesian AID is under the Ministry of Finance's International Development Cooperation Fund (LDKPI)
As of June 11, 2023, the pentavalent vaccine consignment, worth Rp30.3 billion, had reached Abuja, Nigeria.
"This support shows the strong friendly relations between the two countries as well as a shared commitment to ensuring the health and welfare of the people," said the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Nigeria, Usra Hendra Harahap, in an official statement issued here on Monday.
Nigeria has the largest population in the African continent with a fairly high birth rate.
However, its child mortality rate due to vaccine-preventable diseases is also high. Meanwhile, people’s access to vaccines is very limited in the country.
This has prompted Indonesia to send vaccination support. The pentavalent vaccine aims to protect children who are susceptible to child-threatening diseases, such as pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenza Type B.
Managing director of Nigeria's National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaibu, said the support from the Indonesian government has provided hope, protection, and promises of a brighter future for Nigerian children.
"These vaccines have the power to save lives. With this donation, we are equipped with a powerful tool to strengthen our vaccination program," said Shuaibu.
The handover of 1.58 million doses of the pentavalent vaccine from the Indonesian government was held at the Nigerian NPHCDA office on Friday.
Once submitted, the vaccines will be distributed to public health centers and hospitals in various regions.
Given the high need for vaccinations, all the vaccines are targeted to be administered by December 2023.
Nigeria is the second largest trading partner for Indonesia in Africa, after South Africa. Nigeria has quite promising market opportunities for Indonesia, especially in the health industry.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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