As part of their support to the health sector, the Aga Khan Development Network, in partnership with the KfW Development Bank, donated two fully equipped mobile immunization clinics worth $240,000 to the Ministry of Health. The clinics were received by the State Minister for Primary Health Care, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, and the Director General Health Services, Dr. Henry Mwebesa on behalf of the Ministry.
While receiving the donation, the Minister indicated how timely the donation is and highlighted how the mobile vaccination clinics will support Government’s efforts to improve immunization services in the country.
“With their mobility and versatility, these clinics will significantly increase the reach and accessibility of vaccines, bringing immunization services closer to the doorstep of our citizens” Hon. Muhanga said.
The Diplomatic representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Uganda, Amb. Amin Mawuji while giving his remarks he posed a question on how vaccines can reach communities in hard to reach areas.
“How do [we] provide vaccines for those who are hard to reach? One of the key takeaways from the pandemic is the realization of the immense difficulty and challenges involved in reaching communities that are located in the final stretch of distribution” Muwuji said.
“These two clinics will improve routine vaccination across the country, provide a way to lower the barriers to delivery of the vaccination and strengthen the relationship between the health centres” Mawuji added.
The Director General Health Services, Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa said that the mobile immunization clinics will also be deployed in urban areas. He revealed that immunization rates in the country have risen to over 90% with Kampala still having lower coverage than in rural areas.
“We will use the vehicles to go to those hard to reach urban areas like markets, churches, other convenient gatherings and even medical camps. It has a public address system which will help us attract children to come and get immunized.” Dr. Mwebesa said.
The two mobile immunization clinics are equipped with oxygen cylinders, stretchers, refrigeration for vaccines, kitchen appliances, solar gear, a generator, computing devices, and internet connectivity tools. Additionally, the donation will play a pivotal role in reaching underserved communities, remote areas and vulnerable populations in routine immunization and other supplemental activities like vaccination campaigns.
