By Lincoln G. Peters
The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has donated essential cold chain equipment and accessories to the Ministry of Health.
The donation ensures the safe storage and delivery of vaccines to support the routine immunization of children and mothers.
The Equipment & Accessories were officially presented to the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, 3 April 2024, in Paynesville.
The Cold Chain Equipment & Accessories is worth over US$400,000.
The Ministry of Health recently engaged the Center for Disease Control (CDC)-Africa to procure the equipment. The CDC Africa then engaged UNICEF to intervene in the procurement process.
Officially, UNICEF Liberia turned over the equipment to the CDC-Africa for a formal presentation to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNICEF Deputy County Representative Amadou Cisse disclosed that the items were turned over to fulfill a commitment made to the government through the Ministry of Health.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
“UNICEF is always willing to support the health of children around the world, and Liberia is no exception. The equipment’s presentation today fulfills what you asked for,” he pointed out.
For his part, West Africa Regional program lead, Africa CDC Dr. Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi said the gesture highlights the government’s and its partners’ intensive efforts toward Liberians’ wellbeing.
“It is important to note that the CDC Africa is committed to [serving] the people,” he noted.
Also remarking, Sinoe Country Electoral District #2 Representative Sampson Weah commended the partners, saying Cold Chain Equipment & Accessories has been a major challenge for Liberia, especially in the rural areas.
Meanwhile, Dr. Cuallau Howe has assured the partners that the equipment will be used for the intended purpose.
She urged the members of the Ministry of Health to utilize the equipment and avoid charging mobile phones on the equipment since it uses solar panels.
“Don’t charge [your] phone on it, don’t store your food inside. It’s not for that purpose,” she said.
Cold chain equipment, both electrical and non-electrical, is used to store and/or transport vaccines at appropriate temperatures.
