The Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) is set to bring its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based micro-planning initiative, marking a significant step towards digital transformation in child immunisation services.

The announcement came during a training workshop titled “GIS-based EPI Online Micro-planning”, held at the RCC Bhaban conference hall. Organised by RCC with technical support from UNICEF, the session brought together health experts and government officials to discuss the role of digital tools in strengthening routine immunisation.

Presiding over the workshop, RCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim highlighted the importance of accurate planning to ensure no child is left behind. Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and RCC Administrator Khandaker Azim Ahmed, the chief guest, emphasised that GIS-based mapping will improve efficiency in field operations and monitoring. “This technology will play a vital role in ensuring timely and equitable delivery of vaccines,” he noted.

During her presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr FAM Anjuman Ara Begum explained how digitalisation would support better planning, especially in densely populated or underserved areas. “With this system, we will have digital maps of wards and blocks, real-time vaccination coverage data, and insights into missed children. We will know whether any area has been excluded and track the activities of health workers online,” she said.

The GIS-based system will also allow EPI managers to calculate the exact distance between vaccine stores and immunisation centers, enabling better logistics and outreach planning. As a result, essential vaccines such as BCG, Pentavalent, DPT, and OPV can be delivered more efficiently to children, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Speakers at the event included Dr Habibur Rahman, Divisional Director of Health; Dr Rezaul Rahman Milton, National EPI Specialist at UNICEF; Maruf Kabir Mridha, UNICEF Consultant; and Dr Muhammad Kamruzzaman, WHO Divisional Coordinator. They all echoed the potential of this initiative to further strengthen routine immunisation and reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunised children.

This move aligns with national and global efforts to ensure vaccine equity for every child, regardless of geography. With RCC’s continued commitment to maternal and child health, the digital EPI plan is expected to bring significant improvements in service delivery and data-driven decision-making. 

Reference:
EPI to be digitalized in RCC [Internet]. BSS. [cited 2025 Jul 16]. Available from: https://www.bssnews.net/district/273314