Strengthening the Cold Chain and Basic Health Services in the Northern Regions

Results achieved as of the end of the project (October 2019) include: (1) 1 051 community health centres were equipped with solar refrigerators five regional health directorates with cold rooms and the Health department's immunization section with two refrigerated trucks and equipment to provide the region with vaccines—this has made it possible to strengthen the cold chain and to considerably increase capacity for vaccine storage at the central level and in the regions; (2) health care providers’ skills were improved which between 2015 and 2019 allowed over 2 150 000 women to give birth in health care facilities assisted by trained staff (including over 500 000 by qualified staff); (3) 150 health care facilities in the northern regions benefited from the installation of photovoltaic lighting systems to improve how obstetric emergencies are managed in areas where electricity is not always available; (4) 70 targeted community health centres received essential medicines and basic equipment and are able to provide the minimum package of health services including basic obstetric emergencies; and (5) between 2015 and 2018 thanks to Canada’s contribution and those of other donors 87% of children under the age of 1 were vaccinated against tetanus diphtheria whooping cough and HIB and 100% of children under the age of 1 were vaccinated against tuberculosis. These results helped improve access to quality environmentally friendly health services especially for women newborns and children.