The cold chain equipment, which includes 115 Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigerators, 234 SDD freezers, 1,000 Fridge tags, and 778 vaccine carriers, was donated through a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s immunisation system and combating infectious diseases.
Presenting the equipment, the Director-General, Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, commended the progress made by Nigeria in routine immunisation. He noted that the cold chain equipment would add value to the nation’s efforts in its immunisation drive, while boosting Nigeria’s position as a leading nation in immunisation and public health.
Kaseya stated that the partnerships are critical to addressing global health challenges and ensuring vaccine equity for Africa, adding that the support provided by the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation demonstrates their commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in Africa.
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, who received the equipment, observed that vaccines play a crucial role in disease prevention.
Aina noted that the support from Africa CDC is in line with Nigeria’s goal to have readily available life-saving vaccines and strengthened cold chain capacity. He explained a thorough assessment was done to identify gaps in cold chain facilities to ensure the new equipment would be allocated effectively to maximize impact.
He said: “This donation aims to enhance vaccine storage capacity and extend outreach to more communities. We have articulated our blueprint which has three pillars, one of the pillars focuses on building an institution that is enduring and able to deliver on the mandate.
UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rownak Khan, commended Nigeria’s immunisation drive, stressing that cold chain equipment would help in preserving vaccines and maintaining temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
She observed that the equipment will help the sub-national governments in the provision of a comprehensive vaccination programme as the donated equipment would enable them to store a wider range of vaccines, including those requiring ultra-low temperatures.
