Podcast Summary: Teach to Reach Episode #TeachToReach Partner eHealth Africa and EHA Clinics: Digital Health Solutions for Health

Podcast Information:

• Title: Teach to Reach (English)
• Host/Author: The Geneva Learning Foundation
• Episode: #TeachToReach Partner eHealth Africa and EHA Clinics: Digital Health Solutions for Health
• Release Date: June 29, 2024
• Description: Meet, network, and learn with fellow immunization and other health professionals from all over the world.

Introduction and Partnership Announcement (00:02 - 04:10)

Rita, the session moderator, kicks off the podcast by introducing the collaborative session between eHealth Africa and EHA Clinics. She emphasizes the focus on climate change impacts on health and immunization, highlighting the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Rita sets the stage for the discussion on empowering health systems through data-driven local solutions, and introduces the distinguished guests, David Akpan and Abdul Hamid Yahya, from eHealth Africa.

Notable Quote:

• Rita (00:02): “We are going to explore the potential of digital health solutions to address community health challenges.”

Introduction to eHealth Africa (04:11 - 06:59)

David Akpan, Deputy Director at eHealth Africa, introduces the organization. He describes eHealth Africa as an international nonprofit dedicated to improving public health through digital technology. Their work spans various areas, including public health emergency management, disease prevention, and surveillance systems.

Following a technical glitch during David’s presentation, Abdul Hamid Yahya takes over to provide a comprehensive overview of eHealth Africa’s initiatives. He outlines the organization's involvement in workforce performance supervision, polio eradication, vaccination tracking, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Abdul Hamid highlights eHealth Africa's role in rebuilding Nigeria’s national platform for electronic immunization data management.

Notable Quotes:

• David Akpan (01:25): “We are basically going to be showcasing some digital solutions that really is going to help empower healthcare workers.”
• Abdul Hamid Yahya (04:11): “We have been fortunate enough to be involved in a lot of programmatic themes and space... integral in declaring Nigeria polio free.”

Digital Solutions for Immunization Challenges (08:38 - 17:08)

Abdul Hamid Yahya delves into the specifics of eHealth Africa's digital solutions, focusing on LOMIS (Logistics Management Information Suite). He articulates the challenges faced by Nigeria’s healthcare logistics, including inadequate investments, data shortages, and lack of supply chain transparency, which contribute to high percentages of zero-dose children.

Key Points:

• LOMIS Overview: A modular platform designed to track critical healthcare commodities, primarily vaccines. It consists of two integrated applications:
  • LOMIS Stock: Used by facility managers on mobile devices to report stock levels, wastage, and vaccine utilization.
  • LOMIS Delivery: Utilized by delivery personnel to monitor delivery statuses, quantities, and transportation conditions, including vaccine temperature.
• Impact Metrics: Significant reduction in stock-out rates across various Nigerian states post-LOMIS implementation. For example, in Sokoto State, stock-outs decreased from 61% in 2017 to 8% in 2021.

Notable Quotes:

• Abdul Hamid Yahya (08:38): “LOMIS is our logistics management information suite that has helped us solve some of the routine immunization challenges in Nigeria.”
• Abdul Hamid Yahya (16:45): “In Sokoto State, we've driven the stock-out rate down from 61% to 8%.”

Q&A Session and Participant Engagement (17:08 - 26:39)

Following the presentation, Rita invites questions from participants.

Dr. Neka Onwu, Director from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), poses insightful questions regarding:

• Platform Integration: Inquiry about the integration of private sector research and broader health systems into LOMIS.
• Data Visualization: Requests more granular, disaggregated data to track vaccine utilization across states.
• Digital Public Good (DPG): Seeks clarification on the term and its implications for broader use.

Responses:

• Abdul Hamid Yahya explains the technical integration of LOMIS Stock and LOMIS Delivery into a single platform for seamless data flow. He addresses data visualization by mentioning existing heat maps that provide real-time insights into vaccine distribution and utilization.
• On DPG, he clarifies that LOMIS is open-source, making it freely accessible for anyone to use.
• David Akpan adds that eHealth Africa also offers complementary solutions like Plan Field, which assists in planning vaccination processes and optimizing coverage areas, further contributing to reducing zero-dose rates.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Neka Onwu (19:09): “It'd be nice to get them integrated into this platform... better utility of such a platform.”
• Abdul Hamid Yahya (21:40): “DPG means the software becomes free and open... completely free for anyone to use.”
• David Akpan (25:21): “We are talking about the supply chain approach, ensuring timely delivery of vaccines when they are needed.”

Concluding Remarks and Workshop Invitation (26:39 - 34:02)

Rita provides a seamless transition towards the workshop sessions, encouraging participants to join workshops on integrating primary healthcare into vaccination strategies or to engage in networking opportunities. She also offers a comprehensive recap of the day's activities, including:

• Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the EPI.
• Highlights from previous Teach to Reach sessions.
• Announcements of upcoming publications and media collaborations.

Maria Manzan, the Partnerships Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of participating in the workshops to share experiences and learn from eHealth Africa and other partners.

Notable Quotes:

• Rita (27:30): “We are looking forward to the EPI session... celebrating 50 years of the expanded program on immunization.”
• Maria Manzan (28:04): “E Health Clinics is going to be talking but we all get to share our experiences too.”

Final Thoughts: The session underscores the critical role of digital health solutions in enhancing immunization efforts, reducing vaccine stock-outs, and ultimately lowering the number of zero-dose children. The collaborative efforts between organizations like eHealth Africa and EHA Clinics, supported by the Geneva Learning Foundation, highlight the importance of data-driven strategies in achieving global health goals.

Additional Resources and Next Steps

Participants are encouraged to:

• Attend Workshops: Join upcoming sessions on RingCentral to delve deeper into integrating primary healthcare with vaccination strategies.
• Network: Utilize the platform’s networking feature to connect with fellow health professionals.
• Explore eHealth Africa: Visit the eHealth Africa website to learn more about their initiatives and digital solutions.

Notable Quote:

• Rita (34:02): “If you haven't left yet for the workshop or networking, of course you can stay connected in Zoom. That's the best way to make sure you don't lose your seat.”

This episode of Teach to Reach provided an in-depth exploration of how digital health solutions, specifically eHealth Africa’s LOMIS platform, are transformative in addressing immunization challenges in Nigeria. By leveraging data-driven strategies and fostering collaborative partnerships, eHealth Africa is significantly contributing to global immunization goals and the broader mission of improving public health systems.