{"id":27877,"date":"2025-04-23T09:57:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/?p=27877"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:57:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:57:32","slug":"refrigerated-trucks-will-strengthen-childrens-access-to-vaccines-minister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/?p=27877","title":{"rendered":"Refrigerated Trucks Will strengthen children\u2019s access to vaccines, Minister"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Vaccine cold chain receives boost with new transport provided by UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Islamabad : In a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child in Pakistan, UNICEF officially handed over 31 refrigerated trucks to the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Chief Guest Minister Kamal stated, \u201cThese new refrigerated vehicles will significantly strengthen access to life-saving vaccines for children across Pakistan, including the remote regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and other hard-to-reach areas.\u201d
He announced that five refrigerated trucks have been allocated to each province to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of vaccines nationwide. \u201cThe availability of these vehicles will guarantee the integrity of vaccine supply to all provinces and territories, helping us reach every child,\u201d he added.
During his address, the Minister emphasized the need for primary healthcare, revealing that 70% of patients visiting government hospitals could be treated at Basic Health Units (BHUs). \u201cThe day is near when doctors and medicines will reach people at their doorstep,\u201d he remarked.
Minister Kamal also shed light on the ongoing national polio eradication campaign, which commenced on April 21 under the supervision of the Prime Minister. Over 450,000 frontline workers are participating in this crucial effort. For the first time, Pakistan and Afghanistan have launched synchronized polio campaigns, reflecting unprecedented cross-border collaboration.
However, the Minister expressed concern over growing refusals to administer polio drops. \u201cThose who deny their children the polio vaccine are risking their lives,\u201d he warned, while firmly opposing the use of force in such cases. He stressed the need for community engagement over punitive measures, directing officials to counsel vaccine refusers instead of filing FIRs.
\u201cThere is a cure for every disease\u2014but not for polio,\u201d Kamal stated passionately. \u201cPolio eradication is a national cause. Every individual must contribute to protect our children from permanent disability.\u201d He called for stronger support and cooperation with frontline workers.
The Health Minister also spoke emotionally about the sacred responsibility of the health sector. \u201cOur work is with God’s most beloved creation\u2014human beings. We are doing everything we can to alleviate suffering, and I am committed to fulfilling my duties with sincerity and dedication,\u201d he said. \u201cThis sector is perhaps the most demanding. Our positions are a test, and we are answerable. I aim to pass this test with the prayers and support of the people.\u201d
The 31 trucks have been provided through a collaborative effort between the Government of Pakistan, UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This initiative builds upon ongoing support that includes the delivery of 23 refrigerated vehicles in 2021 and seven pick-up trucks earlier this year. These investments are aimed at strengthening routine immunization, improving outreach capacity, and bolstering the overall health system.
\u201cEvery child has the right to be protected from preventable diseases. With the support of Gavi and in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan, these refrigerated trucks will help us ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines. By safeguarding vaccine potency through a strengthened cold chain, we are making strides toward a healthier Pakistan where every child is fully immunized,\u201d said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
UNICEF, with support from Gavi, is also providing technical assistance to improve vaccine micro plans, cold chain system strengthening and real-time monitoring at national and sub-national levels to ensure the effective use of these resources.
\u201cThis support is instrumental in expanding our reach and building the capacity of our immunization teams. We are grateful to our partners for standing with us in our shared goal of protecting every child through equitable and resilient health systems,\u201d shared Dr. Shabana Saleem, Director General, Federal Directorate of Immunization.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vaccine cold chain receives boost with new transport provided by UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Islamabad : In a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to life-saving vaccines for… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":27878,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,13],"tags":[1838,2575,622],"class_list":["post-27877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-main-stories","tag-federal-directorate-of-immunization-fdi","tag-federal-minister-for-health-services-pakistan","tag-unicef-pakistan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27877"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27879,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27877\/revisions\/27879"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27878"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theasiantelegraph.global\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}