The Clinton Health Access Initiative has recently launched a pilot programme through which hospitals, health centres and medical dispensaries in the remote parts of the country are to be equipped with newly invented SolarDirect Drive Fridges to assist in National Immunization Programmes.
Launched at the remote Nainokanoka Health Centre in the deep wildlife infested Ngorongoro Division, the Clinton Health Access Initiative will install such technological SDD Medical Refrigerators to a total of 15 health centres across the country, according to the CHAI Resident Director, Dr Esther Mtumbuka.
“These are specially made fridges powered directly by the sun without the need for rechargeable batteries and are to be used for storing medicinal drugs, sterilization equipment and other inputs used for immunization services especially outreach programmes in remote villages,” she stated during the initial handover ceremony.
Dr Mtumbuka also said “In association with Immunization and Vaccine Department (IVD), the Clinton Health Access Initiative is working to improve the National Immunisation Programme cold chain management programmes through innovations including reinforcing cold chain management systems”.
She pointed out that in order to make the system more effective, the CHAI has trained 167 Immunization Services Coordinators in the Districts, in addition to equipping each of them with a portable (laptop) computer.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya, who graced the occasion, expressed gratitude to the Bill Clinton founded Health Initiative and pointed out that, Ngorongoro District, with its vast 14,000 square kilometres was larger than the entire Kilimanjaro Region which measures 13,200 kilometres square
