Japan donates K7 million-plus for digital health system

JAPAN has donated US$2.2 million (about K7.9 million) to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) in Papua New Guinea to strengthen digital health information systems for improved immunisation coverage and infectious disease control.
Unicef representative Vikas Singh said the donation would support an upcoming measles rubella vaccination campaign and monitoring health facilities in PNG’s 22 provinces.
“More than one million children under five years will be indirectly impacted by this,” he said.
“We are grateful to the Government of Japan for this generous support that will contribute significantly to improving health information systems. This will ultimately increase immunisation coverage nationwide through the establishment of effective vaccine delivery and information systems.”
Singh said the funding would help pilot the Geographical Information System (GIS) for micro-planning in two provinces to improve immunisation delivery strategies to reach children. A remote health worker training, using the Moodle Application, will enhance the capacity of 400 health workers to provide quality services for Coronavirus (Covid-19) and routine immunisation, and maternal, newborn and child health.
“Japan has also provided cold chain equipment for Covid-19 vaccines worth US$8 million (about K29 million) over two phases so far in collaboration with Unicef.
“We will support efforts to strengthen digital health information systems in PNG to manage immunisation data, including inventory of cold chain equipment,” Japanese ambassador to Papua New Guinea Nobuyuki Watanabe said.