UNICEF donates solar-powered equipment towards Guyana’s immunisation programme for children

UNICEF on Wednesday handed over several pieces of equipment to the Health Ministry to ensure the safe storage and delivery of vaccines for the immunisation of children in Guyana.
The equipment, which included 10 solar refrigerators, four solar freezers, eight electrical refrigerators, one Ultra-Low Temperature freezer, and associated equipment were handed over to subject Minister, Dr Frank Anthony by UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar.
“Vaccines protect and save lives. To ensure the safe distribution of vaccines where they are needed, a high-quality cold chain is essential. The equipment being delivered will ensure that COVID-19 and other important vaccines reach communities safely, even in remote villages in Guyana’s hinterland,” Akhtar stated.
He further added, “These are some of the most reliable cold-chain equipment available. The solar-powered technology means that the solar direct drive equipment will operate without the cost of additional power or fuel. This is extremely important. It means we can reach more people in some of the most remote communities across the country, including those at the last mile.”

Akhtar, however, thanked Dr Anthony and all health workers for working relentlessly over the last three years to ensure the population was knowledgeable about and protected from COVID-19 and vaccine-preventable diseases.
Ahead of World Immunisation Week later in April, he also encouraged persons to “get vaccinated and get boosted”.
In welcoming the donation, Minister Anthony said the equipment supported the Ministry’s priority to equip all health centres and ensure vaccines were stored properly. He said the areas where the equipment would be installed have already been identified. Minister Anthony said there has been a slight decrease in immunisation in Guyana, and the Ministry is working on an intensified programme. He thanked UNICEF for continuously working to mobilise resources for Guyana and supporting the health sector.
The provision of the equipment was supported by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the COVAX Facility. The solar direct drive refrigerators and freezers will be deployed to hinterland regions and will ensure that vaccines are available in areas that do not have a regular electricity supply.
Solar direct drive refrigeration systems are a new generation of solar-powered refrigeration systems that do not require a battery to store energy. All associated equipment, including solar panels, has been provided while installation and transportation costs are covered, which will allow the equipment to be made fully operational immediately.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has supported the Health Ministry to strengthen its cold-chain capacity, providing solar direct drive refrigerators, more than 450 vaccine carriers as well as capacity building. The cold chain is the system for the safe storage and transport of vaccines.
Cold-chain equipment is essential to ensure that vaccines are stored at the right temperature in order to maintain vaccine quality. The latest donation is part of UNICEF’s ongoing support to enhance national capacities in the health sector.