In a collaborative effort to enhance immunisation data management in Bangladesh, Jhpiego and icddr,b organised a Co-Creation Workshop on EPI Data Landscape Analysis under the Country Learning Hub (CLH). The event, held on November 30, 2023, at the MIS Conference Room of the Directorate General of Health Service, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, aimed to foster collective planning and discussions among key stakeholders.

The workshop commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Setara Rahman, Country Lead of Jhpiego Bangladesh, setting the tone for a day of insightful deliberations. Dr. Md. Jasim Uddin, Emeritus Scientist of icddr,b and Project Lead of CLH Bangladesh, provided a brief overview of the project, emphasising the importance of the Co-Creation Workshop in advancing their objectives.

Dr. Prem Singh, Associate Director of Jhpiego, took the floor next, presenting key findings and recommendations from the data landscape assessment report. This laid the groundwork for the subsequent group discussions facilitated by Dr. Samiha Yunus, Project Lead-Immunisation at Jhpiego Bangladesh.

The participants, including officials from government, private, and development organisations, were divided into four groups, each focusing on a specific aspect – Reporting Data Group, Survey and Monitoring Sources, Program Review Mechanism, and Geospatial Survey. Engaged in active dialogue, the groups delved into the existing information systems related to tracking zero-dose children in Bangladesh.

After an hour of fruitful discussions, each group presented their findings and suggestions. The cooperative spirit in the room was palpable as the participants shared actionable steps and strategies for improving zero-dose tracking and reporting. This marked a significant step forward in addressing gaps and fostering a more robust immunisation data management system.

Among the distinguished attendees were senior officials from the government, including Dr. Mohammad Shamsul Haque, Line Director, MNC & AH, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and Prof. Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, Director (MIS), DGHS. Their presence underscored the importance of the workshop in the broader context of public health initiatives in Bangladesh.

In his closing speech, Prof. Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain expressed gratitude for the collective efforts and insights shared during the Co-Creation Workshop. The collaborative spirit exhibited throughout the day was a testament to the commitment of all stakeholders towards improving immunisation data management and, consequently, the overall health outcomes for children in Bangladesh.

The workshop, attended by representatives from MIS-DGHS, EPI, WHO, UNICEF, Jhpiego, Path, and RedOrange Communications, concluded with a sense of accomplishment and a shared commitment to implement the identified strategies for the betterment of immunisation data tracking in Bangladesh.