MCSP Year One Annual Report

The program also provides capacity building for managers and service providers at all levels, as well as technical support to strengthen routine immunization. Effective management of vaccines is critical for preventing vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are sensitive to heat and freezing and must be kept at the correct temperature from the time they are manufactured until they are used. A constant challenge in managing vaccines is the frequency of refrigerators breaking down, particularly due to the use of old refrigerators and the complexity of operating gas and kerosene refrigerators. In Ntchisi and Dowa Districts, Malawi, the District Cold Chain Technician (DCCT) is responsible for responding to refrigerator breakdowns. However, most DCCTs do not have reliable transportation, which can delay their response and affect immunization sessions. Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) often have difficulty collecting vaccines on clinic days due to the lack of immediate response from the DCCT. To address the challenges of managing vaccines and improve refrigerator conditions, the MCSP program supported two cold chain management and repair trainings for 84 HSAs from all health facilities in Ntchisi and Dowa districts. The two-day practical trainings provided participants with basic skills and knowledge on how to repair and maintain refrigerators. This training enables HSAs to handle minor repairs and avoid transferring vaccines and relying heavily on district cold chain technicians. The training has been well-received by participants, who have expressed enthusiasm for their new knowledge. One participant noted that they had previously believed that only district technicians could perform repairs, but now they feel confident in their ability to handle minor repairs themselves. This development is expected to improve overall routine immunization in Ntchisi and Dowa districts.