UNICEF handover 21 refrigerators to Ministry of Health
- to further boost ministry’s ongoing immunization programme
Georgetown, Guyana, November 28, 2023: Immunization coverage across Guyana is expected to increase and the cold chain system strengthened as UNICEF Guyana with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have procured and handed over 21 electrical refrigerators to the Ministry of Health at its Kingston Bond, Georgetown.
During the recent handover, Nicolas Pron, Area Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname said the donation aligns with UNICEF's broader mission of promoting the well-being of children and mothers around the world.
“By investing in healthcare infrastructure, we are investing in the future of a resilient Guyana, ensuring that its citizens, especially the most vulnerable, have access to essential health services,” he said.
Pron noted that the donation with funds from the USAID aims to strengthen immunization and child health in Guyana.
Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health during remarks said his ministry is pleased to receive the refrigerators to further boost its ongoing immunization programme.
“The potency of the vaccines is guaranteed when the equipment is up to standard. Some of our existing refrigerators are aging so this will allow us to change them out,” the minister said.
He expressed gratitude to the USAID and UNICEF for its continued support to the ministry’s work. “Through our partnership we have been able to increase our services in the interior... it’s an ongoing work but we are pleased with this partnership that will allow us to expand our services,” he said.
Only recently, UNICEF with funds from the USAID procured and donated 13 solar-powered refrigerators to the Ministry of Health. The solar refrigerators 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. With limited or no sunlight, it can store vaccines for a period of five days.
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UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
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