Babirye Janat, a 30-year-old mother from Kamuli B in Central Uganda, grew up in a community clouded by misinformation about vaccines. Influenced by local myths—including the belief that immunizations could cause polio—Janat, like many others, avoided vaccinating her children.

Her perspective began to shift years later when she moved to Kampala and consulted a Community Health Worker (CHW) for family planning services. During their visit, the CHW gently addressed her concerns about immunization, explaining that vaccines actually prevent severe illnesses like measles and flu. This information hit home. Janat remembered her first child’s struggles with preventable diseases and realized how much unnecessary pain could have been avoided.

Determined not to repeat the same mistakes, Janat made sure her younger children received all their recommended vaccines. Today, they are fully immunized and thriving.

Janat’s story is just one example of how digital innovation is changing health outcomes in Uganda. The electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) is equipping CHWs with mobile tools that track patient information, automate follow-ups, and send timely immunization reminders. This system aligns with Uganda’s Ministry of Health strategy to digitize healthcare and enhance data-driven decisions.

CHWs like Aida Kawooya have seen the transformation firsthand.
“Seven years ago, parents used to hide their children from us because of fear and misinformation,” Aida shares. “Now, 9 out of 10 children are vaccinated because our mobile app helps us follow up more easily and gives reminders in real time.”

The eCHIS system allows CHWs to monitor a child’s immunization journey from birth, identify those who miss appointments, and refer families to the nearest health centers—ensuring no child is left behind.

Today, Janat has become an immunization advocate in her community, encouraging others to seek accurate health information and protect their children. Her journey from doubt to advocacy highlights the power of digital health systems and the critical role CHWs play in building trust, dispelling myths, and ensuring every child has a healthy start in life.