Tech conference 2016: ‘Punjab’s immunisation programme being replicated’

ITU VC highlights use of smartphone applications to enhance coverage

LAHORE: Due to the technology platform, Punjab's immunisation coverage has risen from 15% to 88% in the past 20 months.

The same program is being replicated in the other parts of Pakistan like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan with the help of UK’s Department For International Development.

This was stated by Information Technology University Vice Chancellor cum Punjab IT Board Chairman Dr Umar Saif, while talking as a keynote speaker at the international Tech Conference 2016 jointly organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at Boston USA.



Dr Umar’s talk focused on his work in designing technology for the developing world in order to enhance coverage of immunisation for children in Pakistan.

He highlighted how PITB's system using smartphone applications and sophisticated satellite imagery analysis had been able to turn around the entire vaccination program in Punjab.

Dr. Umar's work received widespread applause, with representatives from several countries expressing keen interest in replicating those programs in their countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2016.