Republic of Karakalpakstan improves the safety facility for vaccines
UNICEF and the Authorities of Republic of Karakalpakstan inaugurate the new cold chain facilities
UNICEF and the authorities of Republic of Karakalpakstan inaugurated the vaccines warehouse equipped with modern refrigerators in Nukus region. This facility will make a significant contribution to improving the health children of Uzbekistan.
This new facility will further improve efficient vaccine management in the region. The equipment includes refrigerators, freezers for vaccines and temperature monitoring devices and other equipment worth around US$ 140,000.
Afshin Parsi, Deputy Representative UNICEF Uzbekistan handed over the facility to Chief of Sanitary and Epidemiologic Surveillance center of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Representatives of the Ministry of Health and Republican Sanitary and Epidemiologic Services, EPI manager, cold chain manager, employees of regional health department and sanitary-epidemiologic services of the Republic of Karakalpakstan were also present at the occasion.
“I believe the new equipment will enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Health to ensure proper vaccine management and contribute to improved immunization service delivery so that every child in Republic of Karakalpakstan receives quality vaccines,” said Afshin Parsi, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Uzbekistan.
“Vaccines keep children alive and healthy by protecting them against disease,” said Afshin Parsi. “UNICEF will continue to provide all necessary support to the Government of Uzbekistan so that no child is left behind unvaccinated and unprotected from deadly diseases,” he added.
According to global data, almost 3 million deaths among children under 5 years of age are preventable by vaccine. Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health investments we can make for future generations.
This new facility will be able to store about 21 000 liters of vaccines for vaccination of almost 40 000 children under the age of one. Cold rooms are equipped to keep vaccines safe with a temperature of 2-8 of Celsius.
UNICEF will also provide assistance in training and the necessary guidelines on how to run the facility to the staff of the facility.
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