By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has received a major boost following the handover of a 150KVA solar power system, vehicles, motorbikes and cold chain equipment from UNICEF, with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The official ceremony attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, development partners, civil society representatives and members of the media took place at the EPI Programme/Solar Complex in New England Ville, Freetown.

In his remarks, Dr. Dennis Marke Kanbai, EPI Manager, outlined the extensive investments made since 2023 with support from the Government of Sierra Leone, Gavi and UNICEF under the Health System Strengthening (HSS) and COVID-19 Delivery Support (CDS3) funds.

Dr. Dennis Marke Kanbai recalled that under the direct supervision of the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sartie Mohamed Kenneh, Sierra Leone successfully applied for a US$9.3 million CDS3 grant to support COVID-19 vaccine delivery, integrate COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunization and strengthen the overall health system. An additional US$2.4 million from Gavi was reprogrammed to further bolster the EPI, channeled through UNICEF, IPAU and WHO.

“From 2023 to now, we have made huge progress,” Dr. Dennis Marke Kanbai said. “Our cold chain capacity has grown from 54% to 91% and with the 150 new sets of cold chain equipment we are receiving today, we will close the gap to 100% with spare parts available across the country.”

He highlighted other key initiatives, including the procurement of motorized boats to serve riverine communities, ensuring last-mile vaccine delivery and supporting medical referrals in hard-to-reach districts like Bonthe and Kambia. All 16 District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) are being solarized with systems of at least 25KVA, alongside upgrades to peripheral health units (PHUs).

The EPI Manager also noted that the additional motorbikes handed over will complement the 800 procured between 2023 and 2024, fully addressing gaps in last-mile distribution capacity. Bicycles have also been provided to community health workers to strengthen outreach.

“These investments mean we can now ensure every child, even in the most remote areas receives potent vaccines on time,” Dr. Dennis Marke Kanbai said. “We are committed to using these resources effectively to protect the health of our nation’s children.”

On his part, UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone, Rudolf Schwenk, hailed the occasion as “another important milestone in strengthening immunization delivery services and the overall health system in Sierra Leone.” The package includes the full solarization of the Central Vaccine Store and EPI offices, 100 solar refrigerators with spare parts, eight four-wheel drive vehicles, 300 motorbikes and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) kits.

“These investments will improve vaccine storage, ensure last-mile delivery to remote areas and build public trust through effective monitoring and management of adverse reactions,” Rudolf Schwenk said. He noted that the initiative was made possible through joint proposals to Gavi that secured over US$2.5 million for cold chain enhancement, distribution and monitoring.

In addition to the newly installed systems, UNICEF and EPI recently completed the construction of three district vaccine stores in Kenema, Bonthe and Kambia, as well as security upgrades for facilities in Karene and Falaba. Ongoing projects include procurement of boats for riverine communities, installation of a new walk-in cold room at the Central Vaccine Store, solarization of 16 district vaccine stores and 48 rural health facilities, construction of 28 incinerators for biohazard waste management and supply of 103 more solar refrigerators.

Rudolf Schwenk stressed the importance of routine immunization, revealing that the number of zero-dose children, those who have never received any vaccine, has dropped from 26,000 to 15,000 in just one year. “No child should die or be disabled from a preventable disease,” he said, urging parents and caregivers to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.

He further commended the Government’s commitment to vaccine co-financing and resource allocation, adding that UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in its mission to provide quality healthcare to all communities across Sierra Leone.

In his keynote address, Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, reiterated the government’s bold vision of achieving “zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable infant deaths, and zero-dose children” in the country, describing it as both an ambitious and urgent goal.

He called the event a “serious step forward” in ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone receives potent, well-stored vaccines on time, regardless of their location. “Babies are in every corner of this country, and we must take vaccines to them,” he said.

The package includes the full solarization of the Central Vaccine Store, refrigerated vehicles for safe vaccine transport, solar-powered systems at district hubs, motorcycles, bicycles, and cold boxes to support last-mile delivery to remote villages and health posts.

Highlighting the importance of proper vaccine storage, Dr. Demby noted that maintaining the cold chain from Freetown to rural communities is essential to preserving vaccine potency. “We cannot spend all this time and money bringing vaccines to Sierra Leone only to have them wasted because the light goes off,” he said, praising the installation of a 150KVA solar power system to run the central warehouse 24/7.

He thanked UNICEF, Gavi, and other partners for their investments in equipment, solar systems, and transportation to ensure vaccines reach even the most remote areas. “When we say zero-dose children, we mean no child should go through life without the requisite vaccines,” he emphasized.

The Minister reaffirmed that the government’s immunization strategy is not only about survival but about enabling children to thrive and grow into future leaders. “Foundational to a child’s ability to thrive is getting the right vaccines, at the right temperature, in the right conditions, at the right time,” he said.

The ceremony concluded by the symbolic handing over of the items and commissioning of the solar plant followed by inspection of items and tour of the solar facility. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/unicef-hands-over-solar-system-items-to-epi-to-strengthen-sierra-leones-immunization-efforts/