Solar Refrigerators Boost Vaccination Services in Sierra Leone

Kapethe — Amidst the gentle rustle of palm leaves and the distant calls of village life in lush Kapethe, health workers at the Maternal and Child Health Post (MCHP) are getting ready to provide lifesaving immunisation services. With the hum of new solar fridges, they're setting the stage for a brighter, healthier future for Sierra Leone's children.

Prior to the introduction of solar fridges, the absence of reliable refrigeration posed significant challenges for health workers at the Kapethe MCHP. Without proper storage facilities, maintaining the potency and efficacy of vaccines became a daunting task. Health workers grappled with the constant worry of vaccine spoilage due to inconsistent temperatures, making it increasingly challenging to provide timely and effective immunisation services to the community. This lack of essential equipment not only hindered their efforts but also compromised the health outcomes for children in the region, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support.

The provision of solar refrigerators is something that Esther Conteh, mother of six-month-old Momoh Koroma and resident of Kapethe is thankful for. Now, she can seek immunisations for her children on schedule and with complete assurance that she is confident that the vaccinations are being stored in the best possible circumstances. “I no longer have to be concerned about the efficacy of vaccines, and the health workers no longer have to travel the considerable distance to the Binkolo Community Health Centre in order to collect and return vaccines for each immunisation session,” she says.

Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of under-five mortality in the world, with 101 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the 2022 United Nations Interagency Group of Mortality Estimation. Tackling neonatal and child mortality in Sierra Leone, especially those that arise from preventable causes, and meeting the global target of reducing the neonatal mortality ratio to 12 deaths per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to 25 deaths per 1,000 live births or lower, remains a key priority for the Government of Sierra Leone.

One of the key health strategies for reducing these deaths is vaccination programs, which have proven to be very effective over the years, helping to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases and other childhood illnesses and helping to keep children alive and healthy. As part of this effort, UNICEF is working in partnership with the Government to strengthen the country’s health system to improve health service delivery, including the provision of vaccines, ancillary materials, and cold chain equipment.

With thanks to the assistance provided by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, about two hundred and thirty-three (233) additional solar refrigerators have been purchased and distributed to meet the urgent requirement for dependable and constant vaccine storage at 1,266 health facilities across the country. Furthermore, 260 cold boxes have been procured and delivered to the Ministry of Health for the transportation of vaccines between health facilities and for outreach sessions. Perimeter walls were also erected to increase security and protect vital health assets in Falaba and Karene districts.

Mariama Seray Bangura, a nurse at the Kapethe MCHP, expresses her satisfaction and excitement regarding the developments. She stated, "The solar refrigerators have transformed our capacity to store vaccines. Because of this modification, it is no longer necessary for health staff to travel vast distances. As a result, we are now able to deliver more effective and dependable immunization services to our community". Last year, about 2,500 doses of various vaccines were administered to children under five from the catchment communities.

Baboucarr Boye, UNICEF Immunisation Specialist, is equally pleased with the changes, saying "a strong cold chain system is essential for preserving vaccine efficacy." He adds that “using solar-powered fridges has cut down on the risks associated with transporting vaccines over long distances and cut the large electricity bills or fuel costs for generator. This keeps vaccines in good condition from the time they are stored until they are given.”

Through these joint efforts, health workers have been empowered to provide vital vaccination and other healthcare services to the communities they serve. This collective stride towards better health not only propels Sierra Leone closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, “Good Health and Wellbeing”, but also promises a brighter future where every child can survive and thrive.