By Muhammad Amaan
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has presented a Fast Cold Chain Equipment to the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board.
Presenting the items on Tuesday, Mr Rahama Rihood-Mohammed, Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, said the gesture would strengthen child health initiatives and boost the state’s immunisation coverage.
The equipment includes, 39 cold boxes, 1,420 vaccine carriers, 1,208 Icepacks of 0.6 size and 1,704 Icepacks of 0.3 size.
“This equipment is very critical because they ensure that vaccines are maintained at the optimal temperature and conditions while being administered to children.
“The effective use of these cold chain equipment will contribute to the reduction of unimmunised or zero dose children, improve children immunity and herd immunity and reduce vaccine preventable child deaths” he said.
He said the equipment would be distributed to all the health facilities in all the 484 wards in the 44 LGAs across the state.
Mr Rihood-Mohammed noted that the equipment would further bridge the gap experienced by the health facility staff in the logistics of vaccines distribution.
He recalled that UNICEF in the past supported Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board with walk-in cold rooms, vaccines, and Solar Direct Drive (SDD), which is powered directly by solar.
“UNICEF has delivered a total of 3.9million doses of vaccines to Kano State for the upcoming Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days Campaign which will be implemented from September 28, to October1, for children under 5 years.
“UNICEF is committed to support Nigeria’s healthcare system and reduce child mortality by ensuring access to essential vaccines and healthcare services.
He called on all parents and caregivers to bring their children to be vaccinated against Polio.
Responding, the Incident Manager Kano State Emergency Operation Center(EOC), Dr Abdullahi Ahmed, lauded the gesture, adding it would help the state healthcare system by ensuring the safety of keeping vaccines.
While assuring effective use of the equipment and sustained partnership with UNICEF.
