The government has today launched the Kenya Electronic National Vaccine and Immunization Portal (KeNVIP) electronic management platform.
The platform will increase decision-making, visibility, traceability, accountability, and effectiveness in service delivery as well as prepare to migrate to the government data center.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the government has invested USD 16 million in the KeNVIP initiative in the primary healthcare sector.
Duale, who was flagging off cold chain vaccine equipment at Afya House, added that the government has partnered with the World Bank and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and this has not only been strategic but transformational.
“Immunization is one of the pillars of primary healthcare and a powerful driver of public health and yet for vaccines to work, they must be kept at precise temperature from manufacture to administration,” he said.
The 2000 solar and electric cold chain refrigerators and additional equipment like cold boxes and monitors are an investment in health security and resilience, Duale further stated.
“I urge every parent and caregiver across the country to take full advantage of the expanded access to vaccines that are safe and more accessible than ever before. Together, let’s protect our children and secure a healthier future for our nation,” the CS said.
The equipment will be delivered to all 47 counties to improve access to immunization services, which are a vital part of primary health care and a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The CS thanked the World Bank and UNICEF, developing partners, for walking the journey with them in strengthening immunization infrastructure for a healthier nation.
CS Aden Duale was joined by UNICEF Representative Mr. Mahboob A. Bajwa, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health), Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Health during the flagging off vaccine cold chain equipment procured by UNICEF on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
By Wesley Omondi and Seif Ndung’u
