8th February, 2024
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has donated cold chain equipment valued at 880,825.81 United States Dollars to the Ministry of Health .
And Africa CDC has also committed to provide state-of-the-art equipment worth 500,000 USD for setting up a world class public health emergency operation center.
Health Minister Sylvia Masebo says the cold chain equipment received, comprising 150 vaccine refrigerators and 6 voltage stabilisers will play a crucial role in preserving the integrity and quality of medical supplies.
“The equipment will ensure that our temperature-sensitive medical supplies, remain viable, potent and safe for use by our people over extended periods. I would like to assure you that the benefits of well maintained and functional cold chain equipment are far-reaching,” she said.
Ms MASEBO said Investing and prioritizing the development of cold chain infrastructure remains imperative for building resilient and sustainable systems in the country.
Ms Masebo has further called upon all provincial health directors and district health directors to ensure that vaccine logisticians and vaccinators maintain appropriate cold chain of vaccines.
“This should be from the manufacturing facilities to end-users at community level. This way, these life-saving medical products retain their potency and effectiveness. Further, this contributes to improved disease prevention and response efforts with positive public health outcomes, ” she added.
The Minister, applauded Africa CDC for the continued effort in supporting African Union Member States in disease surveillance, prevention, control and response activities towards public health threats.
Meanwhile, Africa CDC says it remains committed to working with the government in accelerating local and regional manufacturing of cholera vaccine.
Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya says scaling up production and increasing access to commodities such as Oral Rehydrating Solutions (ORS) will improve control on the supply chain security, adding that it will accelerate technology and knowledge transfer in the region.
” Furthermore, saving lives and Livelihoods has already laid the groundwork for local vaccine manufacturing in Africa through a focus on human capital development, and strengthening the Africa CDC capacity,” said Dr Kaseya in a speech read for him by Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional director Lul Pout Riek.
Dr Kaseya has also passed a congratulatory message to the Republican President Hakainde Hichilema on his recent appointment as the regional cholera champion to spearhead the fight against cholera in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region and around the globe.
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