Underserved communities to benefit from proper vaccination storage

Georgetown, Guyana, November 7, 2023 - Selected communities with intermittent or no power supply will soon benefit from proper vaccination storage, as UNICEF Guyana with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated 13 solar-powered refrigerators to the Ministry of Health.

The USD$159,531 solar refrigerators procured for the safe storage of vaccines can provide 120 litres storage capacity each and are environmentally friendly machines that can provide storage for vaccines in areas with limited or intermittent power supply.

During a simple handover ceremony at the Health Ministry’s Kingston Bond, Honorable Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health indicated that the refrigerators will be distributed to several communities in remote areas to benefit the most vulnerable children and families.

He noted the importance of the refrigerators in remote areas for proper storage of vaccines after recounting the lost of more than 200 covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic in one of the hinterland regions after his team got stranded due to the rainy weather.

Nicole Theriot, US Ambassador to Guyana who was also at the event commended UNICEF for ensuring the procurement of refrigerators and thanked the Ministry of Health for its partnership in making the project a reality.

Mr. Irfan Akhtar, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname during remarks thanked the USAID for its funds and commitment to ensuring proper vaccination storage for vulnerable communities in Guyana.

“Immunization is one of the most cost-effective, sustainable, public investment to save the lives of many children. UNICEF is dedicated to ensuring that every child in Guyana has equal access to vaccines and health services, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status,” he said.

“These solar refrigerators are a continuation of USAID support for Covid 19 and routine immunization in Guyana and is a testament to our commitment to the children and families in Guyana. This is a good example of strengthening Routine Immunization system through Covid-19 investment,” he added.

The UNICEF Deputy Representative reminded that UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of Guyana to meet the Goals of Immunization Agenda 2030 which aims for a world where “everyone, everywhere, at every age, fully benefits from vaccines for good health and well-being”.