MOH receives refrigerated trucks from UNICEF supported by government of Japan to boost immunisation services in SL

Image Caption: Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health; H.E. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Ms. Begoña Arellano, Acting UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka joined the handover ceremony of nine refrigerated trucks, procured by UNICEF via funding from the Government of Japan.

Ministry of Health has received nine refrigerated trucks procured by UNICEF, funded by the Japanese government to further improve the delivery system of vaccines to all children across Sri Lanka.

The trucks were handed over by H.E. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Begoña Arellano, Acting UNICEF representative in Sri Lanka, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health (MOH), received by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. 

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr. Pathirana said, “I welcome the support of the Government of Japan and UNICEF to further strengthen immunisation, which is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system. These refrigerated trucks will boost the ability of the Ministry of Health to transport vaccines in a safe and timely manner.”

The trucks are part of a total contribution of US$ 3 million from the Government of Japan that funded cold chain equipment, including large, walk-in cold rooms to store vaccines at safe temperatures, portable vaccine carriers and temperature monitors, which have already been handed over to the MOH intermittently from 2021 to date. H.E. MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, said, “I am honoured to announce the forthcoming handover of nine Refrigerated Trucks, a tangible symbol of Japan’s enduring commitment to Sri Lanka’s public health endeavours. These trucks will serve as vital conduits in the seamless transportation of vaccines throughout the nation, ensuring that every community receives the necessary protection against preventable diseases.”

The trucks will facilitate the transportation of vaccines from central to regional storehouses and onwards to the health facilities. The vaccine carriers and cold boxes are already procured and distributed to the offices of the Medical Officers of Health and hospitals.

“Vaccination protects children from many preventable diseases and enables them to live a healthy life. Vaccines are temperature-sensitive and need to be transported in appropriate conditions. These trucks will help us reach every child in every corner of Sri Lanka with the right vaccine at the right time. UNICEF values the long-standing support of the Government of Japan and the collaboration with the Ministry of Health in improving the health of all children in the country,” added Begoña Arellano UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka.

Over the years, the Government of Japan has made significant contributions to support the joint efforts of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health in addressing both the long – and – short – term health needs of children.