The Ministry of Health has dedicated a newly constructed County-Level Vaccine Depot in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, to strengthen vaccine storage, distribution and immunization services across the county.
The facility is designed to enhance Nimba County’s cold-chain capacity and ensure that vaccines remain safe and effective from storage through transportation to health facilities and, ultimately, delivery to communities.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Program Manager, Dr. Adolphus T. Clarke commended the completion of the depot and emphasized the importance of maintaining a functional cold chain as a critical component of the country’s national immunization program.
Dr. Clarke said the facility would improve the capacity of the Ministry of Health and the Nimba County Health Team to preserve vaccine potency from the point of storage to the point of service delivery.
He, however, cautioned that the investment must be accompanied by effective management, regular maintenance and continuous monitoring of refrigeration equipment.
“An EPI depot is only as effective as the system that surrounds it. We must ensure that the cold chain remains functional, that vaccines are properly monitored and that supplies are distributed on time,” Clarke said.
He urged health workers to safeguard the equipment and ensure that vaccine management standards are strictly followed at every stage of the supply chain.
Dr. Clarke also expressed appreciation to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other development partners for their continued support to Liberia’s immunization program and efforts to strengthen the country’s vaccine infrastructure.
Nimba County Superintendent Kuo Miapeh Gono welcomed the construction of the depot, pledging the county administration’s support for the health sector and the proper maintenance of the facility.
Superintendent Gono said the depot represents an important investment in the people of Nimba and would complement ongoing efforts by the County Health Team to improve healthcare delivery.
“This facility is not only an asset of the County Health Team; it is an asset of the people of Nimba County. We have a responsibility to protect it, support its maintenance and ensure that it serves generations of children and families,” she said.
Also speaking, Nimba County District #2 Representative Hon. Nyahn G. Flomo congratulated the Nimba County Health Team, describing the dedication of the depot as a demonstration of the county’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
“It is a distinct honor to join you today in Nimba County for the dedication of this modern Expanded Program on Immunization depot,” Flomo said.
Rep. Flomo thanked the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health, and development partners for supporting the project, specifically acknowledging Gavi for its reported financial contribution toward the construction of the depot.
“Gavi has been a steadfast partner in Liberia’s immunization journey, and this facility stands as yet another testament to your enduring commitment to protecting our children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
The Nimba lawmaker also disclosed that lawmakers had established the Liberia Immunization and Primary Healthcare Caucus (LIPIC) to strengthen legislative advocacy and oversight of immunization and primary healthcare programs.
According to Flomo, the caucus will promote accountability in health financing and advocate for sustainable domestic funding for immunization services.
“Our goal is to strengthen legislative oversight, promote accountability in health financing and ensure that our immunization programs receive the sustainable funding they need to protect our children and communities,” he said.
He stressed the need for Liberia to gradually reduce uncertainties associated with donor financing by developing a more resilient health system supported by increased domestic resources.
Rep. Flomo further disclosed that the Legislature was deliberating a Public Health Insurance Bill, also referred to as the Liberia Health Equity Fund Bill.
He said the proposed legislation seeks to establish a national health insurance mechanism geared towards improving access to affordable healthcare while reducing the burden of catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“When passed, it will protect our citizens from catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenses and create a sustainable, domestically funded health system,” Flomo said.
Earlier, Nimba County Health Officer Dr. Ponnie Robertlee Dolo described the depot as more than a physical structure, calling it an investment in the health and future of the people of Nimba County.
“Today is more than the dedication of a building. It is the celebration of a significant investment in the health and future of the people of Nimba County,” Dr. Dolo said.
He noted that vaccines can only deliver their full public-health benefits when they are properly stored, transported and handled throughout the cold chain.
According to Dolo, Nimba County’s health system has for years faced challenges related to vaccine storage and distribution, including inadequate storage capacity, transportation difficulties, power supply constraints and the need to maintain the required temperature throughout the vaccine supply chain.
He said the establishment of the county-level depot would help reduce vaccine stock-outs, minimize wastage, improve immunization coverage and bring life-saving vaccines closer to communities.
“The establishment of this County-Level Vaccine Depot is therefore a major milestone for Nimba County,” he said.
Representing development partners, Greg Wogbeh, Nimba County Coordinator of Jhpiego, said the organization was honored to support the Ministry of Health and the Nimba County Health Team in strengthening immunization services.
Speaking on behalf of Jhpiego Liberia Country Program Manager Lauretta W. Nagbe, Wogbeh described the new depot as a “lifeline” for immunization services in Nimba County.
“Vaccines only save lives if they stay safe, effective and accessible,” Wogbeh said.
He said the cold-storage facility represented more than a physical structure, emphasizing that it would help ensure the uninterrupted delivery of vaccines to children, mothers and communities throughout the county.
“By securing the cold chain, this depot ensures that life-saving vaccines reach every child, mother and community across the county without interruption,” he said.
The dedication ceremony brought together senior government officials, health workers, development partners, community leaders and members of the Joint Security.
The new depot is expected to strengthen Nimba County’s cold-chain system by providing additional capacity for the safe storage and distribution of vaccines to health facilities across the county, ultimately supporting efforts to improve immunization coverage and protect children and families from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.
