Canadian Embassy and UNICEF Donate Motorcycles and Refrigerators to South Sudan to Boost Vaccination Efforts.

Juba, South Sudan, October 30, 2023 – The Canadian Embassy and UNICEF South Sudan today donated 80 motorcycles and 90 cold chain refrigerators to the national Ministry of Health in an effort to boost mobility and safe storage of vaccines across Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in the country.

The donation was witnessed by the national Minister of Health, Hon. Yolanda Awel Deng, and the Undersecretary, Dr Ader Macar Aciek. The distribution of the motorcycles and refrigerators will begin in Central Equatoria State and will then be extended to PHCCs across the country.

In a media statement, Minister Yolanda thanked the Canadian government for its unwavering support to the people of South Sudan through its notable health sector support. She said that the donation will help to alleviate the burden of vaccine delivery to patients in deep rural areas with poor road networks.

The donation of motorcycles and refrigerators is part of the Canadian government's commitment to supporting South Sudan's efforts to improve its immunization coverage. With its support, UNICEF is working to strengthen South Sudan's health system and ensure that all children have access to life-saving vaccines.

How the Motorcycles and Refrigerators will Help;

The motorcycles will help to improve the mobility of healthcare workers, enabling them to reach more children and communities with vaccines. The cold chain refrigerators will help to ensure that vaccines are stored and transported at the correct temperature, maintaining their potency and effectiveness.

Improving Immunization Coverage in South Sudan;

South Sudan has one of the lowest immunization coverages in the world. Only 52% of children under the age of one have received all three doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine. This is far below the global target of 90%.

The donation of motorcycles and refrigerators is a step towards improving immunization coverage in South Sudan. By making it easier for healthcare workers to reach children with vaccines and ensuring that vaccines are stored and transported safely, the donation will help to protect more children from preventable diseases.

Benefits of the Donation;

1. The donation of motorcycles and refrigerators will have a number of benefits for South Sudan, including:
2. Improved mobility of healthcare workers, enabling them to reach more children and communities with vaccines.
3. Safe storage and transportation of vaccines, maintaining their potency and effectiveness.
4. Increased immunization coverage, protecting more children from preventable diseases.
5. Reduced child mortality and morbidity.
6. Improved health outcomes for children and communities.

Conclusion

The donation of motorcycles and refrigerators by the Canadian Embassy and UNICEF is a welcome development for South Sudan. It is a sign of the international community's commitment to supporting South Sudan's efforts to improve its health system and protect its children.

Call to Action

We urge the government of South Sudan to ensure that the motorcycles and refrigerators are used effectively to improve immunization coverage in the country. We also urge the international community to continue to support South Sudan's efforts to improve its health system and protect its children.