Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone has taken a bold step toward eradicating preventable childhood diseases with the launch of a cutting-edge solar-powered vaccine complex and vital cold chain equipment that will transform immunization delivery across the country.
In a landmark handover ceremony, UNICEF—supported by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Government of Sierra Leone—unveiled the facility at the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Solar Complex. The initiative promises reliable vaccine storage, safer transportation, and extended outreach to the country’s most remote communities, safeguarding the health of thousands of children.
The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), advancing Sierra Leone’s targets on universal health coverage, reducing preventable deaths of children under five, and ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
Funded through the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) and CDS3 Funds, the initiative includes the solarization of the Central Vaccine Store and the delivery of an impressive logistics package:
100 solar-powered refrigerators with spare parts for vaccine storage in underserved areas
8 four-wheel-drive vehicles to support outreach and supervision in hard-to-reach regions
300 motorbikes to deliver vaccines to last-mile communities
Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) kits to quickly respond to potential side effects
Enhanced district-level cold chain facilities in Kenema, Bonthe, and Kambia
UNICEF Representative Rudolf Schwenk hailed the moment as a “crucial advancement” in Sierra Leone’s fight against preventable diseases. “With over US$2.5 million in GAVI funding, we have strengthened cold chain systems, transportation, and vaccine monitoring—ensuring that no child is left behind,” he said.
The new infrastructure will also expand vaccine security in vulnerable areas, with perimeter fencing completed in Karene and Falaba and plans underway to procure boats for riverine regions, expand cold storage, and build biohazard waste disposal units.
Minister of Health Austin Demby reaffirmed the government’s goal: “Zero preventable maternal and child deaths. Vaccination is central to achieving this, and our partnership with UNICEF and GAVI will make sure every child—no matter where they live—gets the vaccines they need to survive and thrive.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sartie Kenneh praised GAVI’s role as a “trustworthy partner” in reaching this vision, while Yusuf Kargbo of FOCUS 1,000 emphasized civil society’s commitment to ensuring that every piece of equipment is put to effective use in saving lives.
This investment in renewable energy-powered vaccine storage is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a lifeline for Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable children. By ensuring uninterrupted cold chain management and reaching the hardest-to-reach villages, the initiative is set to dramatically improve immunization coverage for diseases like polio, measles, and cervical cancer.
As the solar-powered vaccine complex begins operations, Sierra Leone moves closer to a future where no child is left unprotected from preventable diseases—a future built on innovation, partnership, and unwavering commitment to public health.
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