In Kyrgyzstan, a digital vaccination card is created in the maternity hospital where a newborn receives its first vaccination. This record is then updated throughout the child’s life and made available to parents through a mobile application which uses the iEmdoo (iЭмдөө) immunization information system. The introduction of this digital solution is supported by a European Union (EU) project with the overall aim of modernizing central Asia’s health information systems. A delegation from the EU, accompanied by WHO and officials from the country’s Ministry of Health, visited Kyrgyzstan on 15 March 2024 to observe its implementation.
During the visit to the City Perinatal Centre and Family Medicine Centre #6, members of the delegation engaged with health-care professionals who use digital tools in hospital operations and primary health-care centres in Kyrgyzstan. They gained insights into the practical use of information systems for birth registration and outpatient patient records.
“This regional project is helping to build stronger and more resilient health systems in central Asia,” said Mr Hans Farhnhammer, Head of Cooperation for the EU delegation in Kyrgyzstan. “Thanks to this EU project, Kyrgyzstan is better prepared to respond to global, regional and national health crises,” he stated.
iEmdoo leads the charge
The EU is actively supporting the development of the iEmdoo information system, which plays a vital role in facilitating vaccination management, streamlining processes and ensuring effective coordination across Kyrgyzstan. iEmdoo is a critical component of the digital health ecosystem and is being enhanced within the framework of the Sanarip MED Target Model for the Development of Digital Health Care.
To date, over 2 million digital vaccination cards have been created. These records include all planned and received vaccines, any medical exemptions, any side-effects experienced following vaccination, and other important aspects of the person’s medical history. As noted by the Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Bakyt Dzhangaziev, data on the vaccination of children are available to parents through a mobile application, which more actively involves parents in the health care of their children.
During the visit, Dr Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan, emphasized that Kyrgyzstan’s focus on strengthening digital health is a strategic step towards achieving universal health coverage. Using technology, the country is taking bold steps to ensure that health care is accessible to every citizen. Members of the delegation also discussed further cooperation, including the implementation of Sanarip MED.
WHO-EU collaboration
The visit was organized as part of a 4-year EU-funded project in 5 countries of central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – that focuses on safe deployment of COVID-19 vaccines with an emphasis on enhancing routine immunization and health information systems. Modernizing these systems through digitalization improves the availability of good-quality data, which is crucial to promoting and safely delivering vaccines.