The country’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation has received a $1 million cash injection from Japan, a government official has revealed.
“Despite the natural disasters that have bedevilled Japan in recent years, the country has become our development partner in the EPI interventions. Last year they donated $4, 8 million and this year they have added another $1 million to the pot,” the Ministry of Health EPI Manager, Mary Kamupota, said.
According to WHO, immunisation is one of the most successful and cost effective health interventions and prevents two to three million deaths every year worldwide.
Kamupota said after quality vaccines enter the country they are kept in a cold chain system.
“We have managed to keep vaccines under good conditions as all our 63 district hospitals throughout the country have fridges and our outreach teams have cooler boxes. In the event of power outrages, the drugs are quickly transferred to the nearest health institution,” she added.
Last year the Ministry of Health introduced pneumococcal vaccine that fights pneumonia in children.
“In 2014 we will introduce another vaccine, HPV vaccine (Human Pappiloma Virus vaccine), which is given to young girls of at least 9-11 years,” said Kamupota.