The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has provided Fast Cold Chain Equipment to the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, a move aimed at enhancing child health initiatives and improving immunization coverage in the state.
During the presentation on Tuesday, Mr. Rahama Rihood-Mohammed, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, emphasized the significance of the gesture.
“These equipment are 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 unimmunized or zero-dose children, improve children’s immunity and herd immunity, and reduce vaccine-preventable child deaths,” he stated.
The Fast Cold Chain equipment consists of 39 cold boxes, 1,420 vaccine carriers, 1,208 ice packs of 0.6 size, and 1,704 ice packs of 0.3 size. Rihood-Mohammed noted that the equipment would be distributed to all health facilities across the 484 wards in the 44 local government areas of the state, bridging the logistics gap experienced by healthcare staff in vaccine distribution.
He also recalled past support from UNICEF, which included walk-in cold rooms, vaccines, and Solar Direct Drive (SDD) systems powered directly by solar energy.
“UNICEF has delivered a total of 3,905,100 doses of vaccines to Kano State for the upcoming Supplemental Immunization Plus Days Campaign, scheduled from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, for children under five years. UNICEF is committed to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare system and reducing child mortality by ensuring access to essential vaccines and healthcare services,” he added, urging parents and caregivers to vaccinate their children against polio.
In response, Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, Incident Manager of the Kano State Emergency Operation Center (EOC), praised the donation, stating it would enhance the safety of vaccine storage within the state’s healthcare system. He assured that the equipment would be used effectively and highlighted the importance of continued partnership with UNICEF.
Hajiya Sa’adatu Ibrahim, Immunization Officer of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, also expressed gratitude for the support from UNICEF and the Federal Government.
She noted that the Fast Cold Chain equipment would significantly boost immunization campaigns for polio, measles, diphtheria, hepatitis, and yellow fever.
“We are utilizing these very important items to have a successful and hitch-free campaign, as the carriers and ice packs will maintain the potency of the vaccines,” Ibrahim said.