Africa CDC, Mastercard Foundation Strengthen Vaccine Storage In Mali

By Adebowale Bello. Freelance Health Writer.

Monday, August 26, 2024. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation through the Saving Lives and Livelihoods (SLL) program, donated Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) worth over $609,000 to Mali’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The donation includes 11 standard refrigerators, 32 solar-powered refrigerators, 70 vaccine carriers, 40 cold boxes, 23 remote temperature monitoring systems and 2,000 Fridge-tag 2E devices.

“This handover represents a significant milestone in our collective mission to safeguard public health in Mali,” stated Dr. Herlinda Temba, Acting Director of the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, speaking on behalf of Africa CDC’s Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya. “The Cold Chain Equipment provided today will not only ensure the efficacy of vaccines but also fortify the health system's ability to respond to future public health emergencies. This demonstrates the power of collaboration and commitment to achieving health security across Africa,” she added.

Ms. Youma Sall, Technical Advisor to the Mali Ministry of Health, expressed deep gratitude to Africa CDC, the Mastercard Foundation and other partners, noting, “The Cold Chain Equipment delivered today is more than an investment in infrastructure—it’s an investment in the health and well-being of our population. This generous support will enable us to extend life-saving vaccines to more communities, ensuring no one is left behind in our fight against preventable diseases.”

The SLL program, launched by Africa CDC in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, addresses the urgent need for expanded vaccination and vaccine storage capacity across Africa. Between December 2021 and February 2022, Africa CDC, supported by UNICEF, conducted a thorough assessment of cold chain capacity across the continent, revealing significant gaps in equipment and infrastructure necessary to maintain optimal vaccine storage conditions.

To bridge these gaps, the SLL program has procured, distributed and installed cold chain equipment valued at approximately $128.7 million across 35 African countries. This initiative is central to Africa CDC’s commitment to strengthening health systems and ensuring vaccine efficacy throughout their journey, ultimately protecting millions of lives across the continent.

The Cold Chain Equipment handover in Mali is part of a broader continental initiative to enhance immunization programs and boost public health resilience. Africa CDC has already completed similar handovers in Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Cape Verde, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Somalia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, with upcoming deliveries planned for Burundi, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ethiopia. This ongoing effort aims to equip all African Union Member States to tackle current and future public health challenges effectively.

Source: Africa CDC

Published: August 26, 2024

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