The COVID-19 pandemic, though devastating, has inadvertently spurred significant advancements in Africa’s health systems, thanks to the continued efforts of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Mastercard Foundation. These organizations have remained steadfast in their commitment to fortifying health systems across the continent and enhancing responses to vaccine-preventable diseases even after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic no longer an emergency.
Recently, the Africa CDC, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, made a substantial equipment donation valued at over USD 3.5 million to Nigeria. This marks the largest phase one investment in strengthening Africa’s health infrastructure through the procurement and delivery of state-of-the-art Cold Chain Equipment (CCE) for 32 African Union member states.
The donated equipment, handed over to Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), includes 115 solar-direct-driven refrigerators, 234 solar-driven freezers, 1,000 temperature monitoring devices, and 778 vaccine carriers and cold boxes.
This contribution follows cumulative equipment donations across five member states—Botswana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia. These donations, valued at up to USD 3.3 million, comprised 465 refrigerators and freezers, 1,150 temperature monitors, 5,253 vaccine carriers and cold boxes, and two cold rooms. The investment, supported by UNICEF, one of the initiative’s implementing partners, aligns with the West African Health Organization’s (WAHO) call for collaborative efforts to tackle healthcare delivery challenges and improve vaccine storage capacities across the continent.
During the donation ceremony in Abuja, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya emphasized the Centre’s support for Nigeria’s progress in routine immunization. He noted that the equipment would significantly bolster Nigeria’s immunization efforts and reinforce its status as a leader in public health. Nigeria’s health landscape has seen considerable improvements, with vaccines eradicating and reducing the prevalence of diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and tetanus. In 2020, Nigeria was declared polio-free, marking a significant milestone in its public health journey.
Highlighting the importance of partnerships in addressing global health challenges and ensuring vaccine equity, Mr. Kaseya pledged ongoing support for local vaccine manufacturing in Africa. He stressed the need for the continent to produce its vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to ensure accessibility for children and other vulnerable populations.
Echoing these sentiments, Ronak Khan, Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, underscored the significance of the equipment donation, noting that it was the largest in Africa under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative. She praised the commitment of the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation in delivering environmentally friendly cold chain equipment essential for preserving vaccines and temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
Expressing gratitude to the donors, Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, highlighted the alignment of this support with Nigeria’s goal of ensuring the availability of life-saving vaccines and strengthening cold chain capacity. He emphasized that the donation would enhance vaccine storage capacity and enable more comprehensive vaccination outreach to communities across the country.
A thorough assessment was conducted prior to the donation to identify gaps in cold chain facilities, ensuring the effective allocation of the new equipment to maximize its impact.
This collaboration between the Africa CDC, Mastercard Foundation, and UNICEF exemplifies the positive strides made in health system strengthening in Africa, showcasing a collective commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its populations.