According to the Ministry of Health, the digitalisation initiative focuses on enhancing the tracking and management of children’s developmental health data.
Unicef
In a landmark move towards modernising the country's healthcare system, the Maldives Government has announced the digitalisation of vaccine cards as part of its newly launched Maldives Integrated Health Information System (MIHIS). The Ministry of Health unveiled the MIHIS portal on December 25, 2024, to provide safer, more efficient, and convenient access to healthcare information for citizens.
According to the Ministry of Health, the digitalisation initiative focuses on enhancing the tracking and management of children’s developmental health data. Traditionally, the Maldives has relied on physical booklets and printed leaflets to disseminate information on child development, vaccinations, and healthcare guidelines for new mothers. While effective, these methods had limitations in accessibility and efficiency. With the introduction of MIHIS, the process is set to become more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly, offering a major step forward in public health management.
One of the portal's most significant features is the digitalised vaccine card, which provides a comprehensive record of a child’s vaccination history. Parents can easily access detailed information on vaccines already administered and those that are due, ensuring that immunisation schedules are strictly followed. In addition to vaccine records, MIHIS offers a wide array of features to assist parents in monitoring their child’s overall health. This includes growth and development data, nutritional information, reminders and notifications to parents ahead of their child’s upcoming vaccination dates, and follow-up notifications - ensuring that no critical appointments or procedures are missed.
Future updates to the system are expected to incorporate broader healthcare information, including general health guidelines, test results, and treatment updates. This will create a comprehensive digital health profile for each user, allowing parents to manage their children’s healthcare needs more effectively.
The digitalisation of vaccine records and health data not only simplifies record-keeping for parents but also helps healthcare providers improve service delivery. The system ensures that critical information is easily accessible and eliminates the risk of misplaced or damaged physical vaccine cards. Moreover, it enables healthcare facilities to track vaccination rates more accurately, contributing to national efforts to improve immunisation coverage.
