A training workshop titled "GIS-based EPI Online Micro-planning" was held today at City Bhaban in Rajshahi. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 15, 2025 (BSS) - The Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has planned to bring its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) under Geographic Information System (GIS) based micro-planning to make the EPI activities digitalized. 

Administrative officials and health experts came up with the observation while addressing a training workshop titled "GIS-based EPI online micro-planning" held at the city bhaban conference hall here today.
Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) organized the training with the technical support of UNICEF. 

Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and RCC Administrator Khandaker Azim Ahmed addressed the event as the chief guest, while RCC Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Karim presided over the session.

Divisional Director of Health Dr Habibur Rahman, UNICEF National EPI Specialist Dr Rezaul Rahman Milton, UNICEF Consultant Maruf Kabir Mridha, and WHO Divisional Coordinator Dr Muhammad Kamruzzaman also spoke on the occasion.

During her PowerPoint presentation, RCC Chief Health Officer Dr FAM Anjuman Ara Begum elaborated on the objectives and advantages of the GIS-based initiative.

She told that digital maps of wards and blocks, ward and block wise vaccination coverage and data on missing children will be available, vaccination centers will be identified through GIS microplanning It will be known whether any area is excluded or not.

Additionally, she said, it will allow determining the distance of the vaccination center from EPI stores, vaccination center information can be obtained from any location online. Activities of health workers, supervisors can be monitored. 

Speaking on the occasion, Khandaker Azim Ahmed said GIS-based mapping will play a vital role in enhancing the monitoring and efficiency of EPI field operations.

He noted that RCC has achieved notable success in various sectors of maternal and child healthcare, with consistent performance in EPI activities at the national level.