eHealth Africa uses GIS technology to map "invisible" settlements in Nigeria, ensuring that life-saving polio vaccines reach every child

Marking World GIS Day, eHealth Africa has issued a strong call to leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to close the health equity gap in Nigeria. The organization highlighted its successful use of geospatial technology to identify "invisible" settlements—remote or informal communities that do not appear on official government maps. These unmapped areas are often bypassed during public health campaigns, leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases like polio. By using satellite imagery and field tracking, eHealth Africa has created accurate, granular maps that guide vaccination teams to the doorstep of every eligible child. This data-driven approach has been instrumental in Nigeria’s fight against polio, ensuring that resources are allocated exactly where they are needed most. The organization emphasizes that GIS is not just a technical tool but a humanitarian necessity. They urge governments and partners to integrate geospatial data into all public health planning to ensure that no community remains invisible and that universal health coverage becomes a reality for all Nigerians.

Read the original article at: https://guardian.ng/features/health/world-gis-day-ehealth-africa-calls-for-synergy-to-boost-health-equity/

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