***Tracks 11,000 Vaccination team
A Non Governmental Organisation that works on building stronger health systems through data-driven solutions, ehealth Africa; ehealth Africa has said that, it is collaborating with National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to deploy Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the fight against Vaccine Derived Polio in Nigeria.
This was released by the project Manager, Nnenna Ohaeri who said that the objective of the intervention is to provide support towards the eradication of Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) by ensuring no child or settlement is missed during vaccination campaigns.
According to the report, eHealth Africa harnesses the power of GIS tracking and meticulous data collection, tools that transform the vast, populous landscape into a detailed map leading health workers to every settlement—no matter how remote.
She said, “the project complements the work of The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), The World Health Organization (WHO), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Global Polio Eradication partners in their quest to interrupt cVPV2 transmission.”
According to her, some of the successes already recorded include, “Over 11,000 vaccination teams were tracked during 3 phases of the novel fIPV+nOPV campaign across 10 states: Borno, FCT, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara. 50,000+ settlements were confirmed visited by the vaccination teams using GTS.
Additionally, with the update to the MLoS settlements of 6 states: Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara, 31,000 geo coordinates were collected between May and September 2023, with the percentage of settlements in the 6 states with geo coordinates increasing from 55.13% at baseline to an impressive 93.05%.”
In his reaction, Dr. Kabir Suleiman, from the Katsina State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said it is crucial and of utmost importance to maintain this initiative considering the quality and accountability that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools provide.
He said, “It enables close monitoring of campaigns, which is instrumental in ensuring the success of our activities.”
Similarly, Mainasara Ambayya, a State Immunization Officer in Zamfara State. “Before the introduction of the GTS project, we encountered significant challenges in tracking our teams during Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs).
The introduction of these trackers provided us with valuable insights into the settlements that were addressed and the extent of coverage, whether it was partial, full, or complete. This technology has been instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the SIA process.” For Ambayya, the GTS isn’t just a system; it’s a window to visibility and accountability, crucial factors in the pursuit of a comprehensive vaccination campaign.
Echoing this sentiment, Aliyu Abdullahi, a Local Immunization Officer in Zamfara State, highlights a groundbreaking achievement: “The updated masterlist of settlements has enabled us to identify numerous settlements in Gusau that were previously unknown.
After the master list of settlements was updated, the LGA successfully identified approximately 80 new settlements in Gusau LGA.” Imagine, 80 communities once invisible, now acknowledged, known, and most importantly, protected.
In Nigeria, a silent war is being waged, not with weapons, but with something far mightier—vaccines. The battle is against a formidable enemy, the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), an adversary to the health of children and communities. READ ALSO:
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However, in this modern age, our arsenal includes not just medicine but also advanced technology. Among these technological advancements, the Geospatial Tracking System (GTS) shines as a beacon of hope, guiding the way towards a polio-free future.
As the GTS project continues to chart its course through the terrains of Nigeria, it carries with it the promise of a nation where no child has to face the threat of cVPV2. It’s a testament to the power of innovation, the strength of human resolve, and the unyielding belief that we can, and we will, usher in a healthier future for all.
Through the fusion of technology and humanity, we are not just contributing our bit toward eradicating polio; we are paving the way for global health security and resilience; one vaccination, one child, one geo-coordinate at a time.
