First web platform with information on health services and routine childhood immunization in one place

Today the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the E-Health platform which integrates all digitally available health services in one place and has a dedicated section on immunization, offering parents, caregivers and the general public a one-stop-shop for trusted information on routine childhood vaccines.

Developed by the electronic health service “Moj Termin“ with UNICEF and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support, the E-health platform is designed to respond to a growing public demand for digitally available health information that is accurate, timely and transparent. Except for information on childhood vaccines, seasonal flu and COVID19 vaccines, all digital services were previously available in separate isolated platforms.

"The digitization processes are ongoing in the health sector in the Republic of North Macedonia," said the Minister of Health Dr. Fatmir Mexhiti. "Part of these processes is ensuring access to information. This approach is of crucial importance for informing the general public, as well as the professional public, decision-makers, journalists and other public stakeholders, in order to create appropriate policies and make the best health related decisions based on verified sources of information."

“Living in a digital era, we often believe that information needs to be easily accessible. However, latest UNICEF research suggests that one in four parents in North Macedonia feel they do not have access to all the information needed to make an informed decision about their child’s vaccination,” said Patrizia DiGiovanni, UNICEF Representative. “Access to information is critical for empowering the public, including parents, to make the best decisions for their own and their child’s health. This website will be a step forward in facilitating access to information and services and in rebuilding trust to ensure best protection of children’s health.“

With the e-health portal citizens will have one-stop-shop access to:

• Comprehensive, up-to-date, trusted information on routine immunization which was in the past partly available through different websites. Parents can now check when their child is due to take specific vaccine; they can find answers to questions related to vaccines and learn more about the diseases that can be prevented with routine childhood immunization. The section also includes a list of all immunization points in the country and vaccination worktime.
• Up-to-date, trusted information on other vaccines including COVID-19 and seasonal flu.
• Access to the national system for electronic scheduling and recording of medical interventions “Moj termin” integrated into the one-stop-shop portal.

The https://e-zdravstvo.mk/home E-health platform will be the official website for digital health supported by the E-health directorate as an integral part of the Ministry of Health.

This initiative is part of the broader cooperation among Ministry of Health, UNICEF and USAID to rebuild trust in vaccines and strengthen the national immunization system.

In light of the immunization week that starts today, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF highlight that the vaccines are among the greatest advances in global health and development, saving 2 to 3 million children each year from deadly diseases.