HESCO, SFPD Launch Z-TRACE Project to Track Zero-Dose Children in Shinkafi

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Initiative targets missed and under-immunised children across 10 wards as stakeholders strengthen collaboration

SHINKAFI, ZAMFARA — September , 2026:


 Health Standard Concern Organization (HESCO), in partnership with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development (SFPD), has launched the Z-TRACE Project, an initiative aimed at identifying, tracking and connecting zero-dose and under-immunised children with essential routine immunisation services in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The initiative was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement meeting held on Monday at Guraguri Model Primary School, Shinkafi, with representatives of the health authorities, community stakeholders and other partners participating in discussions on how to close immunisation gaps across the local government’s 10 wards.

The project is designed to ensure that children who have never received routine vaccines, as well as those who have missed scheduled doses, are identified and followed up until they are connected to appropriate immunisation services.




‘No Child Should Be Left Behind’

Speaking during the engagement, Executive Director of HESCO, Abdullahi Lawali Bungudu, said the Z-TRACE Project would provide a structured approach to finding children who are being missed by the routine immunisation system.

He explained that the initiative would involve identifying zero-dose and under-immunised children, mapping their locations, facilitating referrals to immunisation services and ensuring that appropriate follow-up is conducted.

According to him, the project goes beyond simply identifying missed children, as it also seeks to strengthen community participation, improve immunisation data and promote accountability among stakeholders.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to receive life-saving vaccines. Through Z-TRACE, we want to strengthen the connection between communities and immunisation services so that children who have been missed can be identified, referred and followed up,” Bungudu said.

Stakeholders Call for Stronger Community Action

Participants at the engagement emphasised that the success of the project would depend largely on strong community ownership and sustained collaboration.

They called for closer coordination among LGA health authorities, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, health workers, community mobilisers and other stakeholders.

The participants noted that zero-dose children are often found in communities where access to health services is limited or where families face different barriers to seeking routine immunisation.

They therefore stressed the importance of community-level information, effective mobilisation and timely referral of identified children to health facilities and immunisation points.

From Identification to Follow-Up

A major focus of the Z-TRACE Project is ensuring that identification of missed children leads to action.

Through systematic tracking and follow-up, the initiative seeks to strengthen the referral pathway between communities and health facilities and ensure that identified children do not remain unvaccinated after being located.

Stakeholders also highlighted the importance of accurate and timely data to guide decision-making, identify underserved communities and improve the allocation of immunisation resources.

Stakeholders Commit to Collaboration

At the conclusion of the meeting, participating stakeholders pledged their support for the implementation of the project and committed to facilitating access to communities where zero-dose and under-immunised children may be identified.

HESCO and the Shinkafi LGA authorities also agreed to maintain regular coordination and information sharing throughout the implementation period.

The Z-TRACE Project is expected to strengthen efforts to identify missed children, improve referrals and follow-up, and ultimately contribute to increased routine immunisation coverage across Shinkafi LGA.

The stakeholder engagement therefore marks the beginning of a concerted effort by HESCO, SFPD and local stakeholders to close immunisation gaps and ensure that every child in Shinkafi has a fair chance to access life-saving vaccines—regardless of where they live.

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