The Government’s Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), an indigenously developed online real-time vaccine logistic management system rolled out in 12 States two years ago, is drawing global attention.
Representatives from Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand are already here to study the project, planning to replicate it back home.
launched in 2015, the eVIN, which the Union Health Ministry touts as a ‘global best practice’ in immunisation aims to support the Government’s Universal Immunisation Programme by providing real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in implementing States.
The technological innovation is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with financial support from Gavi — The Vaccine Alliance..
During their meeting with CK Mishra, Health Secretary on Thursday, the delegations expressed their keenness to learn more about the eVIN to be replicated in their respective countries.
Mishra said that the Ministry is ready to provide support and collaborate with other countries to strengthen their capacities and scale up their programs. He also stated that this is a big boost for the Digital India and Make in India initiatives of the Government and sets a benchmark in the field of immunisation.
Stating that India has a lot to share in terms of best practices and new learning, Jaco Cilliers, Country Director, UNDP stated that such visits provide an opportunity to other countries to learn from these best practices of India in the field of immunisation and strengthen their own programs.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, Additional Country Director, UNDP said that while the country is working towards enhancing the coverage of immunisation, quality of vaccines through maintenance of the right temperature is also a critical component to for the quality and efficacy of the vaccines. eVIN is a step towards ensuring that, he stated.
The system has been rolled out in 371 districts of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.