Japan partners with UNICEF to improve COVID-19 vaccine cold chain management in Somalia

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Japan partners with UNICEF to improve COVID-19 vaccine cold chain management in Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) The Japanese Government through UNICEF donated $900,000 in an emergency grant to improve COVID19 vaccine cold chain management in Somalia, according to a statement released by UNICEF, as the country's health mi

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Photo: UNICEF Somalia/2021 Taxta

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) The Japanese Government through UNICEF donated $900,000 in an emergency grant to improve COVID19 vaccine cold chain management in Somalia, according to a statement released by UNICEF, as the country's health ministry confirmed 89 new COVID19 positive cases for the last 48 hours, making the total covid19 cases to 14,575.

Somalia received a consignment of 300,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this year, according to the United Nations, Somalia has secured enough vaccines from the COVAX initiative to vaccinate at least 20 per cent of its population, in phases. The Federal Government of Somalia is currently assessing ways to provide vaccines for more people.

The grant will be channeled to help in the procurement of cold chain equipment (CCE) in 33 health facilities that meet the requirements for COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, healthcare workers and medical technicians will be trained on the use and maintenance of the CCE. Some 3 million people will benefit as a result of this contribution as projected.

"Japan has been contributing to enhance the health sector in Somalia by providing training programmes and medical equipment,” H.E. HORIE Ryoich, Ambassador of Japan to Somalia said, making Japan’s total contribution to COVAX facility to $200 million.

According to the statement, the grant will be part of UNICEF’s overall support to the Ministry of Health to roll out one of the largest immunization drives in Somalia. UNICEF, in partnership with WHO, will support the government in training health workers on how to administer the vaccine safely, monitoring vaccine utilization and accountability through stock management and reporting.

UNICEF will also play a role in training and deploying social mobilizers to educate communities on the value and effectiveness of the vaccine and also to reinforce the importance of continuing COVID-19 prevention measures.

"UNICEF is extremely grateful to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people for their continued support to Somalia,” Mohamed Ayoya, UNICEF Somalia Representativesaid "Not only will this generous contribution bolster Somalia’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19, it will also help strengthen health systems in the long run which is a critical step in achieving Universal Health Coverage.”

For the last 48 hours 89 new COVID19 infections were reported, making the total cases confirmed to 14,575, 6,579 recoveries and 762 deaths.