Handing over of Cold Chain Vaccine Equipment by the Government of Japan
2021/9/7
On 7 September 2021, the Embassy of Japan together with UNICEF handed over to the Ministry of Health 12 pieces of Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) equipment, including freezers and other devices to be used for the storage of COVID-19 vaccines that require very low temperatures. The equipment was procured by UNICEF with funding support from the Government of Japan as its global vaccine initiative called “Last One Mile Support”, which leverages Japan’s longstanding experience of medical logistics to ensure equitable access and swift distribution of vaccine in the world.
The handing over ceremony of the equipment was attended by Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Japanese Ambassador H.E. HORIE Ryoichi and Dr. Yaron Wolman, UNICEF Chief of Health in Kenya.
During the ceremony, Ambassador HORIE expressed his appreciation for the speedy and successful collaborated procurement, and emphasised that “proper storage facilities and a good management system are critical for effective distribution of the vaccines. Noting the importance of the administrative and supply capacity, the Government of Japan decided to extend an emergency grant aid through UNICEF.”
The Government of Japan has donated about 212 million Kenya Shillings to Kenya through UNICEF to improve the cold chain capacity for COVID-19 vaccines roll out in this April. The funding will support the Government of Kenya in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially through the procurement of equipment for vaccine storage, distribution and continuous temperature monitoring, including storage for vaccines that require “ultra-cold” temperatures, as well as the installation of new equipment and the training to the healthcare workers on how to operate the equipment.
The handing over ceremony of the equipment was attended by Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Japanese Ambassador H.E. HORIE Ryoichi and Dr. Yaron Wolman, UNICEF Chief of Health in Kenya.
During the ceremony, Ambassador HORIE expressed his appreciation for the speedy and successful collaborated procurement, and emphasised that “proper storage facilities and a good management system are critical for effective distribution of the vaccines. Noting the importance of the administrative and supply capacity, the Government of Japan decided to extend an emergency grant aid through UNICEF.”
The Government of Japan has donated about 212 million Kenya Shillings to Kenya through UNICEF to improve the cold chain capacity for COVID-19 vaccines roll out in this April. The funding will support the Government of Kenya in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially through the procurement of equipment for vaccine storage, distribution and continuous temperature monitoring, including storage for vaccines that require “ultra-cold” temperatures, as well as the installation of new equipment and the training to the healthcare workers on how to operate the equipment.