February 2025 - eHealth Africa

Delivering Every Dose: How Smarter Vaccine Systems Are Saving Lives in Africa

Posted on February 28, 2025July 7, 2025 by Tijesu Ojumu

Tijesu Ojumu

Vaccines have long been one of humanity’s greatest health success stories. They’ve helped us wipe out deadly diseases, keep children healthy, and respond to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. But what happens when vaccines don’t reach the people who need them?

Across many parts of Africa, health workers face an invisible challenge: vaccine wastage. This occurs when vaccines are lost, spoiled, or expire before they can be used. Sometimes, it’s because of unreliable power, poor storage, or long travel delays. Other times, it’s simply because more vaccines were sent than were needed and by the time they’re opened, they’ve already gone to waste.

For communities where every dose counts, vaccine wastage doesn’t just cost money. It costs trust. And lives. This was the focus of a powerful Insights Webinar hosted by eHealth Africa, where public health leaders, field experts, and digital health innovators came together to ask one question:
How can we make sure every vaccine reaches the people it was meant for, safely and on time?

The Problem: Wasted Doses, Missed Opportunities

When we think about vaccines, we often picture the jab, the moment of protection. But getting a vaccine to that moment involves a long, delicate journey: it must be stored at just the right temperature, tracked across distances, and kept safe until the moment it’s used.

In this journey, a lot can go wrong. One speaker at the webinar described how even a short power outage can spoil an entire batch. Another explained how, in some remote clinics, health workers open a vial expecting 10 children to show up but only 2 come. The rest of the doses? Tossed out. These are not rare issues. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 50% of vaccines can be wasted globally if systems aren’t strong.

The Good News: Smarter Tools Are Making a Difference

While the challenges are real, so is the progress. Across Nigeria and other African countries, digital solutions are helping health workers plan better, respond faster, and waste less.

Take Planfeld, for example, a tool developed by eHealth Africa. It helps local teams map out exactly where people live, how many doses are needed in each area, and how to deliver them efficiently. With better planning, fewer doses go to waste.

There’s also the rise of real-time temperature sensors. These small, smart devices sit inside vaccine coolers and alert health teams if temperatures become unsafe. That way, problems can be fixed before vaccines spoil. In areas without reliable electricity, solar-powered fridges are a game changer. These eco-friendly units are keeping vaccines safe in even the most remote villages.

Innovation Doesn’t Stop at Technology

Not all solutions are high-tech. In fact, some of the most effective fixes are surprisingly simple. Health workers shared stories of success from the field: planning vaccination days to match market days, making reminder calls to parents, checking expiry dates more often, and involving local leaders to boost turnout. Some clinics even use WhatsApp to coordinate last-minute deliveries between sites. “Digital systems are powerful,” one speaker said, “but it’s the people behind them who make them work.”

Why It Matters: Trust, Safety, and Equity

Reducing vaccine wastage isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about protecting lives and building trust in healthcare systems. When people see vaccines are handled carefully, they feel safer getting them. And when health workers are supported with the right tools, they can serve their communities with confidence. There’s also an issue of fairness. Every wasted dose is a missed chance to protect someone often in communities that already struggle with access. Smarter systems help ensure no one is left behind.

What’s Next?

The panelists ended the webinar with a clear message to governments, donors, and the public:
We must invest not just in vaccines but in the systems that deliver them. That includes:

Training for frontline health workers
Digital tools for planning and tracking
Cold chain infrastructure like fridges and coolers
Community engagement to reduce missed appointments

When we do this, we don’t just reduce waste. We increase impact.

One Dose at a Time

Africa is leading the way in turning vaccine challenges into opportunities for innovation. From the use of AI to plan smarter routes, to mobile clinics reaching the last mile, these efforts are not just saving money — they’re saving lives. Because behind every successful vaccination is a system that worked. A nurse who planned ahead. A delivery that was on time. A fridge that kept running. And a child who will grow up healthy, all because one dose made it through.

Let’s make sure every dose does.

Learn more about these efforts at ehealthafrica.org

Malaria: eHealth Africa Applauded for Excellent Post Distribution Monitoring in Plateau

Posted on February 26, 2025March 10, 2025 by Moshood Isah

eHealth Africa earns plaudits from Against Malaria Foundation (AMF)’s recognition for its precision and professionalism in Plateau State’s Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM), ensuring accurate data collection.

By Joyce Shinyi

In malaria prevention, delivering mosquito nets is just the first step to making an impact, tracking their usage and effectiveness is all part of what makes an impact. That is where Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) comes in.

For the third time in a row, the Against Malaria Foundation (AMF) has entrusted eHealth Africa with implementing Post-Distribution Monitoring in Nigeria, following successful implementations in Bauchi and Zamfara states. This continued partnership is a testament of eHealth Africa’s commitment to data accuracy, structured execution and transparency.

During AMF’s visit to Plateau State, Representatives Shaun Walsh and Alicja Szałapak shared insights into why PDM is critical and how eHealth Africa’s execution stands out.

A Strong and Long-Term Partner – Shaun Walsh, AMF

For Shaun Walsh, working with trusted partners is key to ensuring malaria prevention programs aren’t just implemented but properly evaluated.

“One of the key components is the accurate collection of household data because the accuracy and integrity of the data are very important. It tells the story of the use and the condition of the net.”

He further emphasized eHealth Africa’s commitment to professionalism and execution:

“The data and the communications we’ve had before this visit have really strengthened our opinion on the professionalism and integrity of eHealth… The quality of their work and the due diligence they put into the training have emphasized that eHealth is a strong and long-term partner of AMF in Nigeria.”

This acknowledgment reinforces eHealth Africa’s role as a trusted leader in data collection.

eHealth Africa’s commitment to the reliability of the data – Alicja Szałapak, AMF

For Alicja Szałapak, the success of PDM isn’t just about conducting surveys, it’s about ensuring reliable and actionable data.

“The measure of success of the PDM is whether the data collected reliably shows the situation on the ground… We don’t expect to always see good results, but we want to make sure that if the nets are not there, we see the situation as it is.”

She also praised eHealth Africa’s rigorous approach to gain reliable data by properly training enumerators:

“We were very impressed with eHealth Africa’s commitment to the reliability of the data. A lot of effort has gone into making sure that all the enumerators really understand the questionnaire and ask questions in an understandable way…… We have been very impressed with how PDM was implemented here in Plateau State.”

This focus on precision, ethics, and methodology ensures that AMF receives data it can trust to drive future malaria interventions.

Teaching Households how to use mosquito nets – Fatima Ibrahim

Beyond data and reports, real families benefit from these interventions. In Plateau State, Fatima Ibrahim, shared how PDM has impacted her family’s understanding of mosquito nets:

“Before, we didn’t use the nets every night, but now we understand why they are important…… We were also taught how to properly use mosquito nets by data collectors.”

Her testimony highlights how PDM isn’t just about tracking progress, it’s also about ensuring people are using their nets appropriately and efficiently.

Build trust within the communities – Toju Ogele, Project Manager

For Toju, eHealth Africa’s Project Manager, PDM is about accountability and community trust.

“AMF wants to know: are these nets available in households, and are they being used? That’s why accuracy in data collection is crucial.”

He also emphasized that data isn’t just about numbers, it’s about real-world application:

“We checked if these nets are in use? We also looked at the coverage… Our aim was to build trust within the communities and to remind them of the use of this net. So, we are hoping that this would snowball into continuous use of the mosquito nets. It has helped address some of the myths and misconceptions people had about the use of the mosquito nets.”

Through ethical data collection, rigorous training, and close community engagement, eHealth Africa ensures that every data point reflects reality.

Looking Ahead: Why AMF’s Recognition Matters

AMF’s continued engagement with eHealth Africa across Bauchi, Zamfara, and now Plateau demonstrates trust in our expertise.

From Shaun Walsh’s recognition of eHealth Africa’s professionalism to Alicja Kuskowski’s praise for data accuracy, it’s clear that monitoring isn’t just about collecting data, it’s also about finding out if malaria prevention efforts are working.

With our proven track record, we at eHealth Africa remain committed to delivering credible and quality data.

What’s next? Stay tuned for more insights as eHealth Africa continues to push forward with data-driven solutions that transform healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.

PDM: Data Collectors’ Mission to Protect Communities Against Malaria

Posted on February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 by Moshood Isah

Adamu Yusuf Ali, a supervisor with eHealth Africa, during the first and second cycles of Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) of insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Bauchi State, is no stranger to humanitarian interventions. Having navigated countless hard-to-reach and sometimes security-compromised communities, he reflects on how his passion for making a difference outweighs the challenges that come with data collection.

Beyond auditing households for the availability, usage, and condition of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, Adamu sees the exercise as an opportunity to educate communities on the importance of consistent net use in preventing malaria. He acknowledges the difficulties of reaching remote areas but remains focused on the intervention’s impact.

“My colleagues and I are more concerned about the immense impact the PDM intervention is making, especially in protecting children and pregnant women from malaria,” he said.

One of the biggest challenges, he explained, is locating the right households due to network issues or discrepancies in geo-coordinates. Sometimes, the coordinates lead them to the wrong household—or even an open field. When this happens, they rely on community leaders, local guides, and other stakeholders to help identify the correct households and ensure accurate data collection.

“We sometimes spend up to eight hours in communities where we ideally should have spent less than three,” he said. Densely populated areas and inconsistencies in building structures often make navigation difficult. He also recalled instances where the geo-coordinates led them to the correct location with the right name, yet the supposed beneficiaries reported that they never received mosquito nets during distribution.

Community reception varies from place to place. Entering a new community as an outsider comes with uncertainties—some communities are welcoming, while others are more reserved. On a scale of one to ten, Adamu estimates a positive reception rate of around seven.

“Some community members receive us warmly and respond to our inquiries, believing that we are there to listen to their concerns and potentially bring more interventions,” he said.

The fight against malaria goes beyond simply distributing insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Ensuring that the nets reach the right beneficiaries and are used correctly is just as important. This is the driving force behind Post-Distribution Monitoring, conducted by eHealth Africa in Bauchi, Zamfara, and Plateau states with support from the Against Malaria Foundation. The intervention provides accurate data on mosquito net availability, usage, and condition in households while also allowing data collectors and supervisors to educate communities on proper net use for maximum protection.

Working in over 50,000 households across these states has exposed data collectors to countless lessons and challenges, especially in navigating hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities. But for Adamu and his colleagues, the hardships are secondary to the impact they are making—one household at a time.

Through long hours, difficult terrain, and occasional setbacks, Adamu and his team remain unwavering in their mission. For them, every properly used net is a life potentially saved, and every conversation is a step toward a healthier community. The challenges may be many, but the reward—seeing families, especially children and pregnant women, protected from malaria—makes it all worthwhile.

In the end, it’s not just about counting mosquito nets; it’s about changing lives, one household at a time.