Rajasthan is the first state, not only in India but in the world, to launch a pilot project to access real-time information on vaccination of children.
The health department has started using a Vaccine and Logistics Evaluator (VALUE) device, developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on a pilot basis in two blocks along with JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur.
The device helps in getting real-time information on the number of children vaccinated and the vaccines used. This is the first of its kind in the world, claimed the UNDP focal person Dr Abhay Bohra. “This device is being used for the first time (in Rajasthan) globally,” he said.
Adding, “It’s a device issued to auxiliary nursing midwifery (ANM) who use the same during vaccination sessions and feed the name and number of vaccines used. Data on places of vaccination session has been fed into the handheld device which the person can operate by keying in a password. The device has names of vaccines that are to be administered and the ANM has to feed the number against the name of the vaccine.”
At present, the ANM compiles the data at the end of the month and send a report to the health directorate, which is then uploaded on the pregnancy and child tracking system (PCTS) software. With VALUE device, day-to-day data can be seen at the headquarters, as the device has a SIM card and data connection.
{{/usCountry}}At present, the ANM compiles the data at the end of the month and send a report to the health directorate, which is then uploaded on the pregnancy and child tracking system (PCTS) software. With VALUE device, day-to-day data can be seen at the headquarters, as the device has a SIM card and data connection.
{{/usCountry}}“The pilot project has been started at Amer block in Jaipur district and Choti Sadri block in Pratapgarh district and a device has been issued to the JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur from September 1. A total of 104 devices have been given to ANMs in both blocks,” said child health project director Dr Rommel Singh.
He said that vaccinators have been trained to use the device. Once they complete the vaccination session, they feed the details and load the data on electronic vaccine intelligence network (e-vin) software. This will help in monitoring utilisation and wastage of vaccines.
After studying the reports of the pilot project, it will be implemented in other places, he added.