Health Modernization: Gado-Badzere’s Health Workers Go Digital
In Cameroon’s East Region, health workers in Dimako are embracing DHIS2, a digital tool that transforms data collection and sharing, marking a new era for community health.
Elijah Aboubakar, one of the participants and head of the Gado Badjiré health area in the Garoua-Boulaï district, describes how this innovation is transforming their work.
“Previously, our community health workers recorded everything by hand on paper forms. Data transmission was often difficult, sometimes inaccurate, and hard to organise due to the large volume of paperwork,” he explains. “However, with the digitalisation supported by UNICEF's 7% set-aside funding, everything has changed.”
Thanks to this new system, health workers can enter data directly into the DHIS2 platform as soon as it is collected. This enables real-time monitoring by health area supervisors, district officials, and even regional authorities.
“The work is faster, easier, and more reliable. Everything has become modern,” says Aboubakar proudly. “We can now collect data on health situations and access it even after 10 years.”
The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Public Health and UNICEF, has revitalized motivation among health workers in remote areas.
“We are very happy,” he states. “It's a huge relief. Before, we spent hours sorting through papers at the end of each month. Now, with just one click, the data is visible everywhere. This improvement will significantly strengthen health interventions at the grassroots level.”
With gratitude in his voice, he expresses a heartfelt message to the donors.
“To UNICEF, we extend a big thank you. This support will make a real difference. We are proud and grateful, and we hope the initiative will continue so that more community health workers can be trained and benefit from this system.”
In Gado Badjiré and beyond, digital transformation represents more than just technology; it is a lifeline for better health, faster data, and stronger communities.
This initiative is part of UNICEF's broader commitment to strengthening community health systems and primary health care through digital innovation. It also supports the "First 1,000 Days" approach in Child-Friendly Municipalities, aiming to improve maternal and child health outcomes. By equipping community health workers with digital tools, the program enhances data-driven decision-making and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, equity, and innovation.
