PR No. 07 PAKISTAN TO ADVANCE COLD CHAIN EQUIPMENT FOR VACCINE STORAGE Islamabad: September 1, 2016

Today members of the National Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (NICC) for Routine Immunization under the chairpersonship of Minister Health endorsed the application for Cold Chain optimization platform. The application was prepared by Federal EPI to enhance the capacity of the cold chain equipment in the country.

Speaking at the NICC meeting, minister Health said that the vaccines are huge investment for the future of our generations and its wastage needs to be controlled strictly. “Each drop of vaccine should reach out the actual beneficiary across all areas and regions equitably”, said Minister Health Saira Afzal Tarar. The program needs to address any gaps in the cold chain capacity in order to ensure the quality and safety of the vaccine, Minister added.

“Strengthening of Cold Chain Capacity at all levels in one of the critical factor and pre requisite for new vaccine introduction”, Minister also stressed during the meeting.

Dr. Syed Saqlain Ahmed Gilani, National Program Manager, EPI presented the salient features of the Cold Chain Optimization Platform Application. Dr. Gilani apprised the participants that GAVI has introduced a new Cold Chain Equipment Optimization Platform window. The initiative will help countries improve the efficiency and safety of vaccines by increasing cold chain equipment’s operating time, reducing running costs and improving temperature control.

“Pakistan is also applying through this platform where 65 districts will be prioritized in the first phase for the expansion of cold chain capacity inclusive of 13 districts of Balochistan” shared Dr. Gilani with the meeting.

Dr. Syed Saqlain Ahmed Gilani also shared with the participants that over 15000 Ice-lined Refrigerators and solar driven Refrigerators will be distributed to districts.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, MoNHSRC, DG, MoNHSRC, representatives from provinces and areas and development partners and civil society representatives.

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