A digital health app called MCHTrack is making it easier for health workers in Katsina, Nigeria, to reach children in remote areas with vaccines.
In Katsina State, Nigeria, a new mobile app is helping more children get their vaccines on time. The app, called MCHTrack, was built by a local company and is now being used by community health workers to track immunisations, send reminders, and follow up with parents in hard-to-reach areas. This simple digital solution is already changing lives by closing the gap between vulnerable children and proper healthcare.
How It Works
The MCHTrack app was created by Datharm, a Nigerian social-tech company, in partnership with the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency (KSPHCA), UNICEF, and Gavi. It runs on tablets and helps health workers:
- Register households, pregnant women, and children.
- Track vaccination status.
- Send reminders to parents.
- Refer people to health centres.
- Record visits and share updates.
The data is collected and sent to a central dashboard where officials can monitor progress.
Real-Life Impact
Maryam Shehu and Aisha Tukur Gambo, who work with the CHIPS programme, are among those using the app daily. In a recent home visit, they reminded a mother when her child’s next vaccine was due. Before now, they had to write down every visit in a notebook. Sometimes, records were lost on the way to the hospital.
Now, they simply tap on a screen. “We use the tablet to register people and track if they go to the health facility. It helps us follow up,” Gambo explained.
Reaching the Unreached
Katsina has many communities where children have never been immunised. These are called zero-dose children. With MCHTrack, CHIPS agents now find and follow up with such families.
One story stood out. A boy over one year old had never received any vaccine. His mother thought he was too old. But a health worker convinced her to go. The boy got his first vaccine in front of the health worker, who continued checking until the child completed all his doses.
Supporting Mothers and Children
The app also tracks pregnancy and antenatal care (ANC). Pregnant women receive reminders about ANC and where to give birth safely. One mother, Amina Adamu, said:
"This app made me take antenatal care seriously. I’ve never missed any of my child’s vaccine appointments."
Another mother, Maryam Sulaiman, added:
"My child had measles because she missed her vaccines before. After the CHIPS agent helped me through MCHTrack, she completed all her doses and is now very healthy."
Progress in Numbers
According to Mustapha Lawal, the project coordinator:
- Over 17,250 children and 9,379 women have been registered.
- 12,724 children were referred for immunisation.
- Over 14,000 children have received vaccines.
- About 2,460 zero-dose children were identified; 1,806 cases were resolved.
- 26,109 hospital visits have been recorded.
Challenges Faced
Despite success, there are still issues like:
- Poor internet in rural areas.
- Security problems in some communities.
- Some health workers struggled with the new technology.
But these problems are being solved. The app works offline and syncs later. More training has helped health workers get better. Insecurity is handled by visiting on busy market days when people and security officers are around.
The Bigger Picture
Katsina’s health chief, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, says the government is happy with the results. Between 2018 and 2024:
- Full immunisation coverage rose from 21% to 45%.
- Measles vaccine coverage went from 35% to 54%.
- DPT1 and DPT3 also improved.
Katsina hopes to expand MCHTrack to more areas if funds become available.
So in conclusion: The success of MCHTrack shows how technology built in Nigeria can help solve local health problems. Thanks to this app, more children are getting vaccinated, and more mothers are receiving proper care.This homegrown innovation is saving lives one tap at a time.
Source: Gavi July 2025
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