The Ministry of Health has received nine refrigerated trucks procured by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) with funding from the Government of Japan to further improve the delivery system of vaccines to all children across Sri Lanka.

The trucks were handed over by the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki and the Acting UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka, Begona Arellano during a ceremony held at the Ministry and they were received by the Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. 

The trucks are part of a total contribution of United States Dollars three 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 Ministry from 2021 to date. 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 have already been procured and distributed to the offices of the Medical Officers of Health and hospitals.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister Dr. Pathirana said: “Strengthening immunisation is a key pillar of the healthcare system. These refrigerated trucks will boost the ability of the Ministry to transport vaccines in a safe and timely manner.”

Ambassador Hideaki said: “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.”

“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,” added Begona Arellano.