Tuesday 4 August 2021

Papua New Guinea received essential cold chain equipment worth approximately US$ 3 million from the Government of Japan that will support the country’s routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccination programs.

These equipment – 84 long term passive cold boxes and 300 mobile devices (tablets) – were handed over by the Government of Japan to the National Department of Health at a brief ceremony today. A further donation of 500 temperature sensors to monitor vaccine storage temperature and to ensure quality will arrive a little later.

“Cold chain equipment is a critical and essential element of immunization services that allow for the safe storage of vaccines to maintain quality and effectiveness and ensure optimal performance,” UNICEF Representative, Dr. Claudes Kamenga said

The long-term passive cold boxes can safely store vaccines between 0℃ and 10℃ for at least 35 days, operating within an ambient temperature range of 25℃ to 43℃. The mobile devices will support the logistic information management to avoid stock out and minimize vaccine wastage.

“This is a significant boost for vaccine management in remote and hard to reach communities,” Dr Kamenga added.

Health Secretary, Dr. Osborne Liko thanked the Government of Japan for the donation and UNICEF for the partnership that will allow almost all the provincial health authorities to build their human resource and logistics capacity to effectively deliver the country’s immunization programs.

(source: UNICEF.png)