In March 2022, 35.6% of the inhabitants of Guatemala had the complete vaccination schedule against Covid-19, according to official figures. Although the data may not seem encouraging, Cecilia de Bustos, head of nutrition and head of the health area at UNICEF Guatemala, explains that the country is registering an increase in the demand for vaccines. In addition to the population’s immunization campaign against Covid-19, a greater number of people attend health centers to receive doses of other vaccines that make up the mandatory immunization schedule.
Faced with this situation, UNICEF identified the need to strengthen the capacity of health personnel involved in the management of immunization programs at all levels.
In this context, national and regional experts held two workshops in Guatemala City in order to improve the technical skills of public health personnel. The MSPAS, UNICEF and the Government of Japan joined forces to achieve this.
The training sessions organized between February and March are a key tool for the technicians in charge of cold equipment to learn its correct use and maintenance, in addition to helping to detect possible problems associated with vaccine management.
The National Workshop on the Management of the Cold Chain, Supply and Management of Vaccines was held from March 14 to 18 and had the participation of 27 attendees. Days later, on March 24 and 25, the National Workshop on cold chain management, refrigeration equipment, solar energy supply equipment and electrical equipment installations was held with the participation of 39 technicians, who will then replicate their knowledge to the personnel of the different departments of the country.
Both workshops come after the delivery of 100 solar refrigerators by UNICEF and the Japanese embassy to the MSPAS. These equipments work with solar energy and are very useful in health centers in the most remote locations in the country. In rural areas, where the lack of access to electricity is a limitation, these refrigeration equipment guarantee the adequate conservation of the vaccines. The donation complements the one made in October 2021, when UNICEF delivered to the MSPAS 2,000 thermoses, 400 cold boxes and 2,000 coolers for vaccination, also with the support of the Japanese government.
