UNICEF has presented fast cold chain equipment to the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board.

Presenting the items on Tuesday, Rahama Rihood-Mohammed, UNICEF’s chief official in Kano, said the gesture would strengthen child health initiatives and boost the state’s immunisation coverage.

The equipment include 39 cold boxes, 1,420 vaccine carriers, 1,208 Icepacks of 0.6 size and 1,704 icepacks of 0.3 size.

“These equipment are very critical because they ensure that vaccines are maintained at the optimal temperature and conditions while being administered to children. The effective use of these cold chain equipment will contribute to the reduction of unimmunised or zero-dose children, improve children’s immunity and herd immunity, and reduce vaccine-preventable child deaths,” he said.

He said the equipment would be distributed to all the health facilities in all the 484 wards in the 44 LGAs across Kano.

Mr Rihood-Mohammed noted that the equipment would further bridge the gap experienced by the health facility staff in the logistics of vaccine distribution.

“UNICEF has delivered a total of 3.9 million doses of vaccines to Kano State for the upcoming Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days Campaign, which will be implemented from September 28 to October 1 for children under five years.

“UNICEF is committed to support Nigeria’s healthcare system and reduce child mortality by ensuring access to essential vaccines and healthcare services,” he explained.

The UNICEF official called on all parents and caregivers to bring their children to be vaccinated against polio.

(NAN)