Events
INSIGHTS : Innovative Strategies to Reduce Vaccine Wastage
INSIGHTS : Innovative Strategies to Reduce Vaccine Waste
This month’s episode of the Insights Webinar focused on vaccine wastage—its causes, effects, and strategic innovations to address these challenges, particularly in underserved communities.
In his remarks, eHealth Africa Board Member Andrew Karlyn emphasized that, having been at the forefront of the vaccine and immunization sector for over 15 years, EHA Group remains committed to tackling vaccine wastage. He highlighted that wastage often results from opened vials and ineffective utilization, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed infrastructural gaps in health systems.
Sharing insights from managing cold chain facilities for primary healthcare in Sokoto State, Pharmacist Nafiu Abdullahi, the State Cold Chain Officer, identified key challenges such as poor electricity supply, inadequate handling, and insufficient training for health personnel at various stages of vaccine supply chain management.
Kazeem Balogun, Deputy Director of Supply Chain Strategy and Integration, introduced the Parsyl Solution, recently acquired by eHealth Africa, as a potential game-changer in vaccine supply chain management. He explained that eHA-Parsyl, a temperature-sensitive, data-driven monitoring and analytics solution, ensures that critical healthcare supplies—such as vaccines, medicines, and medical devices—are stored and transported under optimal conditions. According to him, this technology enables healthcare providers to make more informed decisions, ultimately reducing waste and improving the delivery of life-saving medical supplies.
Additionally, Jamil Galadanci, Senior Manager of Global Health Informatics, highlighted the role of Logistics Management Information Systems (LoMIS) in managing vaccine delivery and stock inventory. He also discussed the potential for integrating these solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
The panelists agreed that stakeholders in both the public and private sectors must be equipped with the right innovations to make informed decisions and effectively plan vaccine administration.
Panelists:
- Andrew Karlyn – Board Member, eHealth Africa – Opening and closing remark
- Kazeem Balogun – Deputy Director, Supply Chain Strategy and Integration
- Jamil Galadanci – Senior Manager of Software Engineering at eHealth Africa
- Pharmacist Nafiu Abdullahi – State Cold Chain Officer, Sokoto State
Moderator: Tijesu Ojumu – Communications Coordinator, eHealth Africa
