Equitable Health Access Initiative (EHAI) has successfully concluded a week-long training aimed at equipping key healthcare professionals with the skills needed to navigate and harness the power of the Electronic Immunization Register (EIR) which is the first phase of the Automated Digitalized Immunization System (ADIS) Project. This initiative, which is funded by Pfizer’s Global Health Innovative Grant (GHIG) is part of efforts by EHAI to modernize the immunization process, ensuring that every child receives timely and accurate immunization.
The training brought together a diverse group of participants. This included primary healthcare workers, local government immunization officers, data associates, and volunteers — all of whom play a vital role in the success of immunization campaigns in Kwara.
The EIR represents a significant shift in how immunization data is managed in Kwara State. It serves as a cutting-edge tool that replaces paper-based records and allows healthcare workers to track immunization data in real-time. This advancement is more than just a technological upgrade; it is a transformative shift that promises to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency of immunization processes.
Healthcare professionals in Kwara, including those in remote communities, now have an invaluable resource that helps them track and monitor children’s immunization status more effectively, preventing missed vaccinations and ensuring that every child is vaccinated according to the national schedule.
Currently, the EIR is in its pilot phase and is being tested in 12 primary healthcare centers and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. These selected sites serve as real-world environments where healthcare workers can familiarize themselves with the system and provide valuable feedback which would help EHAI further fine-tune the system.
Participants were given hands-on training on the EIR’s interface, with expert facilitators walking them through the system’s features and functionalities. Each participant had the opportunity to practice entering, updating, and retrieving immunization data and were introduced to new updates to the system. They left the training empowered with fresh knowledge to utilize the EIR and its new features, ready to take on the challenge of providing equitable health access for children in Kwara State.
Since the introduction of the EIR, Kwara State has seen improved immunization coverage and reduction of missed vaccinations, ensuring that children in the state have access to life-saving vaccines. As the pilot phase continues, the EIR is set to expand, bringing a brighter, healthier future to Kwara’s children.
The successful implementation of this initiative is a direct result of the collaborative support EHAI has received from both local and global partners. The active involvement of the Kwara State Government has been instrumental in aligning the project with the state’s broader healthcare goals of improving healthcare delivery and ensuring equitable access to immunization services. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have contributed by training healthcare professionals on how to effectively use the EIR, ensuring the system is utilized to its fullest potential in improving immunization coverage.
EHAI’s Automated Digitalized Immunization System (ADIS) Project is not just about technology – it’s about building a sustainable healthcare system that delivers equitable health access for all. By combining digital innovation, training, and community collaboration, EHAI is leading the way in transforming immunization services, setting the stage for a healthier future across Nigeria starting with Kwara State.
