Government of Japan supports Eswatini to maintain effective cold chain for COVID-19 vaccines
Eswatini received 14 refrigerators, 5 deep freezers, 100 Vaccine carrier and 40 cold boxes that are helping the Ministry of Health distribute vaccines safely across the country.
UNICEF through support from the Government of Japan has supported the Government of Eswatini with cold chain equipment to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are stored at the correct temperature. Eswatini is one of 31 countries that were provided with cold chain equipment including cold storage facilities and transportation. Eswatini received 14 refrigerators, 5 deep freezers, 100 Vaccine carrier and 40 cold boxes that are helping the Ministry of Health distribute vaccines safely across the country. In addition, the Japan grant supported the strengthening of the capacity of government staff including 41 technicians on operation and maintenance of CCE for COVID-19 vaccines and 116 health care facility staff trained on use and monitoring of the CCE and COVID-19 vaccines.
Mpolonjeni Clinic is one of the health facilities that have received a fridge to support COVID-19 vaccination in the community. Thembi Dlamini, Senior Nurse at the facility appreciated the support explaining that the new fridge was capable of storing vaccines that need ultra-freezers and those that require moderate temperatures at the same time. “This donation was long overdue, we are really thankful to UNICEF and the Government of Japan”, said Thembi appreciating the support.
Nothando Xaba, a COVID-19 Nurse at the facility says the arrival of the fridge has helped them to vaccinate more people since the facility has capacity to store more vaccines now. With this fridge we are able to store vaccines and read the temperature throughout the day… the old fridge did not accurately report temperature, yet we have to report the temperature of vaccines every hour”, explained Nothando.
Tiyandza Dlamini, who received her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Mpolonjeni Clinic was thankful that vaccines have been brought closer to the community. “We are very thankful that the vaccines have been brought to the clinic, now we do not have to travel to Siteki to get vaccinated”, said Tiyandza after receiving her second dose.
