Director General of CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu last friday took UNICEF Consultant and members of Technical Working Group on immunisation to the Honorable Commissioner for Health Office in Calabar to debrief her on the state of vaccination storage for immunisation with focus and emphasis laid on cold chain system and logistics of the State.
Speaking the Commissioner of Health, Dr Inyang Asibong said Immunisation is the most precious gift that a health care worker can give a child and it remains the most cost effective preventative health intervention known.
She promised a robust approach in the State to make sure the Cold store is properly fixed before the next EPI.
Also speaking, Dr Betta Edu said the state is soliciting assistance from partners who will train the health workers on cold chain management, we want them to supply direct solar refrigerators while the Agency will regularly supervise the health personnel in charge of cold chain monitoring and ensure effective vaccine management.
“We are already on the process of moving cold store from it present location to our permanent site at Moore Road which has constant electricity that can manage the vaccine at optimum temperature.
She equally informed the visitors that EU-SIGN had supported the state with about 10 direct solar refrigerator which was given out to those LGAs without solar.
Our hope is to seal a partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on provision of 196 direct solar refrigerator for 196 wards of the State said the DG.
Earlier Speaking, Dr Lawson Bode, Zonal EPI logistics and Immunisation Consultant said cold chain must be monitored continuously in order to guarantee vaccines’ quality. He said from field and previous report cold chain monitoring for expanded program on immunisation (EPI) is still not 100% satisfactory in Cross River State.
According to him a proper storage of vaccines at the recommended temperature conditions is vital so that vaccine’s potency is retained up to the moment of administration.
Finally he tasked the Cross River State Government to support the Cold Chain system of the state. While commending the effort of state on immunisation even though the State has not reach the 100%.
The cold chain system is a means for storing and transporting vaccines in a potent state from the manufacturer to the person being immunised. It consists of a series of storage and transport links, all designed to keep vaccines within an acceptable range.
Present in the meeting included Dr Ephraim Chukwu from UNICEF, Dr Ezebilo Obiorah from NPHCDA, Mrs Felicia Eyaba, SIO, Dr Iwara Iwara Director of Public Health SMOH and other staff of the ministry and Agency.
