In a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Mastercard Foundation have donated advanced Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) valued at over USD 3.5 million.
This initiative, part of the broader Saving Lives and Livelihoods program, aims to strengthen health systems across Africa and enhance responses to vaccine-preventable diseases.
The donation, received by Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), includes 115 solar-direct-driven refrigerators, 234 solar-driven freezers, 1,000 temperature monitoring devices, and 778 vaccine carriers and cold boxes.
The equipment will play a crucial role in preserving vaccines and maintaining temperature-sensitive medical supplies, thereby supporting Nigeria’s immunization efforts.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, emphasised the significance of this donation during a ceremony in Abuja. He noted that the equipment would bolster Nigeria’s routine immunisation efforts and reinforce the country’s leadership in public health.
Kaseya said this contribution will add immense value to Nigeria’s immunization drive, highlighting Nigeria’s success in eradicating polio and reducing the prevalence of other diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and tetanus.
This recent donation to Nigeria is part of a larger effort by Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation, which has seen similar contributions across five other African Union Member States: Botswana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia.
He said these donations, valued at USD 3.3 million, include 465 refrigerators and freezers, 1,150 temperature monitors, 5,253 vaccine carriers and cold boxes, and two cold rooms.
The Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Ronak Khan, praised the donation as the largest under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative.
She highlighted the importance of the equipment in preserving vaccines and facilitating a comprehensive vaccination program at the sub-national level.
“The donated equipment will enable us to store a wider range of vaccines, including those requiring ultra-low temperatures,” Khan stated.
The Executive Director of NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, expressed gratitude to Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation, noting that the donation aligns with Nigeria’s goal of ensuring the availability of life-saving vaccines.
He revealed that a thorough assessment was conducted to identify gaps in cold chain facilities, ensuring the new equipment would be effectively allocated to maximize impact.
“This donation aims to enhance vaccine storage capacity and extend outreach to more communities in the country,” Aina remarked.
With this ongoing commitment to strengthening Africa’s health systems, Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation are taking pivotal steps to ensure member states can effectively respond to public health emergencies and achieve equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
