Abdulkareem Sikiru: GIS innovator championing polio vaccination systems in Nigeria

In a groundbreaking step towards revolutionizing global public health, Abdulkareem Sikiru Bayo, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert, has emerged as a key figure in the fight against polio in Nigeria. Drawing from his extensive experience at E-Health Africa (eHA), where he was seconded to oversee the implementation of GIS for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abdulkareem is shining a spotlight on how spatial data can transform public health interventions.

Under his leadership at eHA, Abdulkareem successfully applied GIS technology to polio vaccination campaigns, optimizing resource allocation and creating real-time data collection systems that helped improve immunization coverage in the most remote and challenging terrains of Northern Nigeria.

According to Abdulkareem, GIS integrates various components—including hardware, software, data, and expert analysis—into a powerful tool that enables public health organizations to visualize and analyze spatial information in real time. “By identifying high-risk areas, mapping out hard-to-reach communities, and enabling real-time tracking of vaccination teams, GIS has made it possible to address logistical challenges that were previously insurmountable,” he explained.

One of the standout moments in Abdulkareem’s tenure was the use of GIS to identify previously overlooked settlements during polio vaccination drives. These hidden communities, which might have gone unnoticed without the precision of GIS mapping, were brought into the immunization fold, drastically reducing the risk of polio outbreaks.

Northern Nigeria presents unique challenges for vaccination teams, including difficult terrain and limited access to remote areas. Abdulkareem’s use of GIS allowed health organizations to overcome these barriers by mapping routes, coordinating vaccine storage and distribution, and ensuring that no community was left behind. “We used GIS to track the movement of vaccines and vaccination teams, minimizing delays and wastage while improving the overall efficiency of the campaigns,” Abdulkareem recounted.

Through his innovative work, Abdulkareem played a crucial role in helping health workers prioritize resources and plan interventions with greater precision. His GIS-based dashboard provided real-time updates on vaccination progress, ensuring that corrective measures could be taken swiftly if coverage gaps were detected.

Abdulkareem’s experience at eHA has made him a strong advocate for the broader adoption of GIS in global health efforts. He believes that the integration of GIS into public health initiatives will be essential in achieving future global health goals, particularly in eradicating diseases like polio. “GIS has the potential to revolutionize not only polio vaccination systems but also other public health strategies worldwide,” he stated.

As the global health community continues its push towards eradicating polio, Abdulkareem Sikiru Bayo stands at the forefront, using cutting-edge technology to tackle age-old public health challenges. His work is a testament to how innovative approaches can have a real-world impact, particularly in regions where logistical challenges once seemed insurmountable.

Abdulkareem’s journey from GIS Coordinator at eHA to becoming a key figure in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts highlights the transformative power of technology in global health. His vision for the future ensures that GIS will remain a crucial tool in public health, not only in Nigeria but across the globe.Tv