DOH receives 175 vaccine refrigerators from US Aid
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PDFThe Department of Health (DOH) today received 175 units (including the 23 units to be given to the Autonomous Region in Muslem Mindanao) of refrigerators for vaccine storage from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to be installed in some DOH public health facilities.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona observed that many vaccine refrigerators in the provinces need to be replaced as most were badly damaged during typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng and in order to maximize the potency of vaccines for an effective immunization program.
He added that the USAID’s donation is very much welcome because the DOH’s measles immunization campaign will need proper vaccine storage to minimize wastage. Ona also projected that immunization coverage in the ARMM Region will improve because of the donated functioning vaccine refrigerators.
“The USAID’s move to grant vaccine refrigerators to the Philippines is our response to the disaster recovery needs of Philippine health facilities,” said Ms. Ann Hirschey of the USAID. Hirschey added that the promise to donate vaccine refrigerators was made by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
In response, the health chief commits to distribute, maintain, and provide the necessary training on the operation and maintenance of the equipment to the end users.
Meanwhile, there are now 5,186 total suspect measles cases reported nationwide from January 1 to April 16. There were 14 deaths recorded. The most number of cases are from National Capital Region followed by Central Luzon.
“Thank you for supporting our immunization campaign, especially measles, our maternal and child health initiative and the DOH Universal Health Care agenda. This is an excellent way of commemorating USAID’s 50th year in the Philippines,” Ona concluded.
Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona observed that many vaccine refrigerators in the provinces need to be replaced as most were badly damaged during typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng and in order to maximize the potency of vaccines for an effective immunization program.
He added that the USAID’s donation is very much welcome because the DOH’s measles immunization campaign will need proper vaccine storage to minimize wastage. Ona also projected that immunization coverage in the ARMM Region will improve because of the donated functioning vaccine refrigerators.
“The USAID’s move to grant vaccine refrigerators to the Philippines is our response to the disaster recovery needs of Philippine health facilities,” said Ms. Ann Hirschey of the USAID. Hirschey added that the promise to donate vaccine refrigerators was made by US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
In response, the health chief commits to distribute, maintain, and provide the necessary training on the operation and maintenance of the equipment to the end users.
Meanwhile, there are now 5,186 total suspect measles cases reported nationwide from January 1 to April 16. There were 14 deaths recorded. The most number of cases are from National Capital Region followed by Central Luzon.
“Thank you for supporting our immunization campaign, especially measles, our maternal and child health initiative and the DOH Universal Health Care agenda. This is an excellent way of commemorating USAID’s 50th year in the Philippines,” Ona concluded.
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