In a bid to combat the reoccurrence of wild poliovirus in Nigeria, an ambitious vaccination drive has been launched, aiming to mitigate the impact of the disease. The initiative has already distributed more than 9 million vaccine doses across states including Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Borno, and Port Harcourt.
The distribution scheme, spearheaded by eHealth Africa, a prominent non-governmental entity in Nigeria, has emerged as a critical force in facilitating the widespread dispersal of vaccines despite significant challenges posed by insecurity in certain regions.
Atef Fawaz, the Executive Director of eHealth Africa, shed light on the distribution strategy during a workshop themed “Digital Innovations in Public Health Practice: Lessons and Impact.” Fawaz emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing logistical hurdles to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all citizens.
“We always try to identify a problem and work around solving it, and this was particularly how the vaccine delivery solution was developed to make sure that no one is left unvaccinated due to logistical challenges,” he stated.
The eHealth Africa program emphasizes transparency and accountability throughout the distribution process, enabling real-time monitoring of vaccine stocks, request for new supplies, and ensuring efficient delivery even to remote areas.
The initiative has already proven successful in states like Kano, Bauchi, and Zamfara, with the program ongoing in Sokoto state, further strengthening the nationwide vaccination efforts and significantly reducing stockouts.
As Nigeria continues to combat infectious diseases, such initiatives play a crucial role in safeguarding public health and building resilient healthcare systems.