How GIS training is supporting field operations at a Lagos health initiative

Kayode Adeparusi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving at Hacey Health Initiative in Lagos, is currently facilitating a series of geographic information systems (GIS) training sessions aimed at supporting how the organization plans and coordinates its field operations.

Adeparusi, who has a background in geospatial analysis, is introducing staff and volunteers to the practical use of mapping tools such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. The training, which began earlier this year, focuses on enabling participants with limited or no prior technical experience to understand and apply spatial data in their routine activities.

According to Adeparusi, the sessions are structured to emphasize usability rather than technical complexity. “The goal is to help field teams understand how location data can support what they are already doing, whether that means planning routes, identifying areas that still need coverage, or organizing field activities more clearly,” he said.

Staff members at Hacey Health Initiative said the training forms part of an ongoing effort to strengthen internal capacity in data-informed planning. The sessions include instruction on basic mapping concepts such as plotting locations, interpreting data layers, and using spatial information to guide outreach efforts.

Participants described the training as their first structured exposure to GIS tools. One trainee said that before the sessions, field planning relied largely on informal methods. “Before now, we mostly depended on verbal directions and manual notes, but we are beginning to see how mapping can help us track our activities more clearly,” the trainee said.

Another staff member noted that the introduction of visual mapping is improving communication within teams. “It is easier to explain plans when everyone can see the same information on a map,” the staff member said.

Adeparusi’s role in the training involves both instruction and ongoing support, as participants continue to apply the tools in their field activities. The sessions are being conducted in phases and currently involve multiple staff members and volunteers across the organization.

Although the initiative is still ongoing and has not yet undergone formal evaluation, staff indicated that early observations suggest improved coordination in field operations, particularly in tracking outreach locations and aligning activities with program objectives.

Observers note that efforts such as this reflect a broader trend in which geospatial technologies are being adapted for use in non-technical and operational environments. In resource-constrained settings, the ability to translate these tools into practical applications can support incremental improvements in planning and coordination.

Adeparusi’s work at Hacey Health Initiative illustrates how geospatial expertise can be applied in a service setting to support organizational processes and introduce structured approaches to field operations.