ISLAMABAD: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and global vaccine alliance Gavi have donated 31 refrigerated trucks to Pakistan, the country’s health ministry confirmed on Wednesday, in their bid to improve vaccine access for children in remote areas.

Children in Pakistan’s remote areas face considerable challenges in accessing vaccines. Many parts of the country, such as mountainous terrains in the north, desert areas in the south and conflict-affected zones lack proper road infrastructure and reliable transportation for vaccines. 

Refrigerated trucks, also known as cold chain vehicles, store vaccines in specific cold temperatures to ensure they do not lose their effectiveness. These trucks were provided through a collaborative effort between the Pakistani government, UNICEF and Gavi, the health ministry said. 

“UNICEF officially handed over 31 refrigerated trucks to the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) in Islamabad today,” the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination said. 

Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, took part in a ceremony during which the trucks were handed over to Pakistan. 

The ministry quoted Kamal as saying that five refrigerated trucks would be allocated to each province of the country.

“These 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,” he said. 

Kamal also spoke about Pakistan’s ongoing national anti-polio drive, which began on Apr. 21 and will run for seven days. Over 450,000 frontline workers are taking part in the drive. 

The health minister expressed concern over parents’ growing refusals for polio drops and directed authorities to file a police report against vaccine refusers.

“Every child has the right to be protected from preventable diseases,” UNICEF’s Fadil was quoted as saying. “By safeguarding vaccine potency through a strengthened cold chain, we are making strides toward a healthier Pakistan where every child is fully immunized.”

The health ministry said UNICEF, with support from Gavi, was also providing technical assistance to improve vaccine micro plans, cold chain system strengthening and real-time monitoring.

This latest initiative builds upon ongoing support for vaccine access in Pakistan, which included the delivery of 23 refrigerated vehicles in 2021 and seven pick-up trucks earlier this year.