Rapid Immunization Skill Enhancement (RISE)- Encouraging experience with an alternate capacity building model in COVID-19 times

In India, the Universal Immunization Program (UIP) has undergone tremendous reform, addressing issues of coverage, equity and quality, and expanding the spectrum of diseases covered by introducing new vaccines like pentavalent, rotavirus and IPV. While the traditional cascade model of face-to-face training has provided a valuable foundation for building the capacity of immunization workers, the model is slow to respond to rapid changes in UIP guidelines, and does not easily address the on-going learning needs of a busy health workforce unable to participate in frequent workshop-style training activities. JSI, under the overall stewardship of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, has developed Rapid Immunization Skill Enhancement (RISE), a blended-learning knowledge and skill-building package for health workers in the country. It is a user-centric model that leverages technology (mobile phone, internet) commonly accessible among the health workforce to build immunization knowledge and skills through a series of digital learning sessions. Each self-paced session is based on adult learning principles; learners achieve session objectives by engaging in a variety of audio, animated visuals, reading and interactions, including learning games and quizzes.

Between March and July 2020, RISE was piloted in 5 districts in 5 states of the country. The project targeted more than 2500 health workers; more than 80 per cent of the learners to date have completed the training package, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. With the very positive experience from the pilot, and the cordial acceptance of the model by health workers across the country, the application may be considered a “game-changer” in the arena of capacity building in the near future with immense potential of scale up not only in immunization, but across other areas in health and development sectors.