The Federal Government has officially inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for three standard vaccine store hubs in Abuja, marking a significant step towards improving the country’s immunisation logistics network and vaccine storage capacity. The project encompasses two states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib explained the purpose of the hubs during the ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja. He emphasized that these hubs would enhance the storage capacity, allowing for approximately 250 vaccine shipments per year.
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign has highlighted the existing supply chain challenges and underscored the urgent need for expanded storage space to ensure the resilience of the system. Recognising this need, the country embarked on a comprehensive system redesign, which includes the construction of three mega vaccine storage hubs at the national level.
The project entails the deployment of optimised cold chain equipment at healthcare facilities, an efficient distribution system, and the implementation of an electronic logistics management information system to enhance visibility across the entire supply chain.
Shuaib stated that the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, and Kano states would house the three storage hubs, which will accommodate the required vaccines until 2035. The hubs in Lagos and Kano will commence operations simultaneously with the hub in the FCT.
Furthermore, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire emphasised that the establishment of the FCT hub is part of a larger plan to enhance vaccine storage capacity at the national level. He highlighted the necessity of adequate storage space to effectively implement Nigeria’s immunisation programme, given the country’s large population and the introduction of new and essential vaccines.
Each hub will serve two geopolitical regions, ensuring timely responses to the increasing demand for vaccines while maintaining a centralized approach. The FCT and Kano hubs have been funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI), while the Lagos hub is financed through a World Bank loan.
The groundbreaking ceremony signifies a significant milestone in the journey of redesigning the system and strengthening the country’s immunisation efforts. The Chief of Health in Nigeria for UNICEF, Dr. Eduardo Celades also emphasised the importance of these hubs. UNICEF aims to reduce the number of children who receive no immunisation by 25 per cent by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030. Nigeria currently has the second-highest number of zero-dose children globally. Therefore, the timely establishment of these hubs is crucial in achieving the country’s immunisation agenda and safeguarding every child’s health.
