Africa CDC, Mastercard Foundation strengthens Ethiopia’s cold chain

ETHIOPIA— The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Mastercard Foundation have collaborated with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and UNICEF to strengthen vaccine storage and distribution capabilities.

This initiative is part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods program, which aims to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines across Africa.

Ethiopia, like many countries, faces challenges in maintaining the potency of vaccines, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas where cold chain infrastructure is often inadequate.

The Sagure Health Center in the Oromia region is a prime example, where limited refrigeration capacity has hindered vaccine storage and accessibility.

To address this issue, the partnership has provided substantial investments in cold chain infrastructure, including ten Toyota 4×4 vehicles, four refrigerated trucks, ten fridge conversion units, 32 refrigerators, 80 freezers, 965 cold boxes, 1,365 vaccine carriers, and 2,000 temperature monitoring devices and accessories.

These resources will be distributed among 112 health facilities in 94 districts in the Central Ethiopia, Oromia, South Ethiopia, and Tigray regions.

The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) will utilize the new vehicles to transport vaccines and essential medicines to district stores and health facilities nationwide, significantly improving last-mile delivery.

This enhancement will enable health workers to bring vaccines closer to communities through outreach programs, ensuring that vaccines remain effective and accessible to those who need them most.

During the equipment handover ceremony in Addis Ababa, Dr. Mekdes Daba, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, emphasized that this investment will strengthen the country’s health system and make vaccines more accessible.

He expressed gratitude to the partners for their support, highlighting its importance in improving the availability and accessibility of health commodities, especially for vulnerable populations.

Additionally, Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Mazaba, Africa CDC’s Eastern Africa RCC Regional Director, noted that this initiative aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities and protect people against vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.

While the new infrastructure will significantly improve vaccine access, Dr. Abdulkedir Gelgele, Director General of the EPSS, emphasized that sustaining this progress requires a well-trained workforce, data-driven decision-making, efficient logistics, and sustainable financing to ensure the long-term success of the health supply chain system.

Tesfaye Hailemichael, Head of the Africa CDC Supply Chain Division, underscored the importance of enhancing cold chain capabilities to maintain vaccine potency and efficacy, signaling a continued focus on strengthening health systems across the continent.

This partnership not only supports Ethiopia’s Expanded Program on Immunization but also contributes to achieving universal health coverage.

Addressing the critical gaps in vaccine storage and distribution, the initiative sets a precedent for collaborative efforts to ensure health equity and preparedness for future health emergencies.

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