Khadijah Aliyu
The United Nations Children’s fund UNICEF has handed over Fast Cold Chain equipment to the Kano Primary HealthCare Management Board.
The chief of field office UNICEF Kano Mr Rahma Rihood Muhammad Farah explained that, the Fast Cold Chain equipment would be distributed to all the health facilities across 484 wards in the 44 LGAs.
He explained that, items distributed include 39 Cold boxes 1,420 Vaccine carriers, 1,208 0.6 and 1,704 of 0.3 liters Icepacks.
“UNICEF is committed to support Nigeria’s healthcare system and reduce child mortality by ensuring access to essential vaccines and healthcare services. As part of this commitment, and as the world leader in the provision of vaccines, strengthening of cold chain and improving vaccine logistics system”
He pointed out that, effective use of the cold chain equipment will contribute to the reduction of unimmunized or zero dose children; improve children immunity, and reduce vaccine preventable child deaths.
“These equipment are very critical because they ensure that vaccines are maintained at the optimal temperature and conditions while being administered to children”
Mr. Rahma hinted that,UNICEF has in the past supported Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board with walk-in cold rooms, vaccines, and Solar Direct Drive (SDD).
The chief of field office pointed out that, as part of its continuing support to the Kano State Government, UNICEF has delivered a total of 3,905,100 doses of vaccines to Kano State for the upcoming Supplemental Immunization Plus Days Campaign.
“ which will be implemented from 28th September to 1st October for all the children aged under 5 years in Kano state”
“UNICEF urges all parents and caregivers to bring their children to be vaccinated against Polio. The vaccine is available, effective, and free”
Receiving the items, the state immunization officer, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Saadatu Ibrahim, commended UNICEF and the federal government for the intervention.
She stressed that the cold chain equipment will go a long way in boosting immunization uptake across the state.
“we will utilize the items to have a hitch-free campaign as the vaccine carrier and ice packs will assist in maintaining the potency of vaccines”
The incident manager, EOC Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed noted that the donation is critical to the history of Kano state and will go a long way in boosting the healthcare system.