GIS expert Sikiru Abdulkareem leads charge in revolutionising public health with geospatial technologies

In the ongoing global fight against diseases like polio, innovative approaches are reshaping how health interventions are implemented, and at the forefront of this revolution is Sikiru Abdulkareem, a leading Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert. With his extensive experience, Abdulkareem is transforming public health strategies through the integration of GIS technology, highlighting how spatial data can be leveraged to eradicate diseases in regions facing logistical challenges.

Abdulkareem, a former GIS Coordinator for E-Health Africa (eHA), oversaw the implementation of the Geographical Information and Data Management System at Nigeria’s National Emergency Operation Centres. His work with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and state health agencies provided a groundbreaking framework for deploying polio vaccination systems across remote and hard-to-reach areas in Northern Nigeria, where logistical issues had previously hindered efforts.

“The application of GIS in polio vaccination systems has revolutionized public health strategies,” says Abdulkareem. “My experience at eHA showed that GIS is indispensable in identifying high-risk areas, optimizing resources, and enabling real-time monitoring.” His contributions played a crucial role in mapping previously overlooked settlements, ensuring vaccination teams could effectively reach underserved communities.

Abdulkareem’s work is an exemplar of how geospatial technologies can revolutionize disease eradication efforts. In Northern Nigeria, where polio remains endemic, Abdulkareem’s GIS mapping strategies helped pinpoint vulnerable areas that traditional methods had missed. “By using GIS, we were able to visualize data that allowed us to reallocate vaccination resources more effectively,” he explains, noting that this technology ensured no community was left behind in immunization efforts.

GIS was not only instrumental in mapping out at-risk populations but also in monitoring vaccination progress in real-time. “We developed dashboards that provided health officials with live updates, enabling quick corrective actions,” Abdulkareem adds. This level of oversight was key to improving vaccination coverage and reducing the chances of missed communities.

Beyond his success in polio eradication, Abdulkareem’s expertise spans other critical health challenges. His study on malaria risk in Akure, Ondo State, demonstrates his ability to apply GIS and Remote Sensing to broader epidemiological research. Abdulkareem and his team generated malaria risk maps, which identified high-risk areas based on land cover, climate, and other demographic data. “These maps are critical for directing medical interventions and establishing health centers in regions most affected by malaria,” he said.

As Abdulkareem continues to push the boundaries of GIS applications in public health, his work exemplifies the growing importance of geospatial technologies in solving some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. Whether tracking disease outbreaks, planning resource allocation, or improving health intervention strategies, Sikiru Abdulkareem’s contributions are setting a new standard for how GIS can be harnessed to save lives and build healthier communities.