The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has distributed 425 solar-powered refrigerators across Imo State since 2021, as part of efforts to strengthen immunisation delivery.
UNICEF’s Vaccine Security Logistics Officer in Imo, Mr Augustine Nwabuisi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Owerri while addressing journalists at the conclusion of activities marking World Immunisation Week.
Nwabuisi explained that the refrigerators, which maintain temperatures between +2°C and +8°C, are crucial for preserving vaccine efficacy.
He noted that the equipment, procured and distributed by UNICEF, had been deployed to primary healthcare centres across all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
He added that UNICEF operates an Open Logistics Information System, which enables real-time monitoring of vaccine stock levels in the LGAs. The system helps prevent overstocking and understocking, while also tracking expiry dates and temperature excursions.
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Additionally, Nwabuisi announced that UNICEF had donated four high-capacity incinerators, each capable of burning at temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Celsius, for the safe disposal of medical waste such as used bottles and syringes.
He stated that the donation aligns with environmental and health safety standards, and is intended to promote effective waste management in healthcare facilities.
“We insist on ‘do no harm’ to the vaccine, the environment, and health workers by ensuring proper vaccine service delivery and waste disposal,” Nwabuisi said.
He also noted that officers are given regular monthly training, with performance reviews and real-time feedback provided to local managers.
Despite these efforts, he urged the Imo State Government to fulfil its counterpart funding obligations, especially with regard to human resource support, to ensure optimal utilisation of the incinerators.
Also speaking at the event, the State Immunisation Officer, Dr Chibuzo Anyaehie, commended UNICEF for its support, particularly in funding logistics for the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
She acknowledged UNICEF’s role in supporting rounds one to three of the “Big Catch-Up” immunisation campaign, which significantly improved vaccine coverage across the state.
Dr Anyaehie further noted that UNICEF had provided technical assistance and contributed to the development of annual operational plans for vaccine security and delivery in the state.
She, however, called for the recruitment of new personnel to replace retiring staff, in order to address manpower shortages critical to effective vaccine distribution and logistics.
