NEWS – UNICEF has just made a 16 ton truck available to the Regional Association for the Supply of Essential Medicine (Centrale régionale de distribution de médicaments essentiels (ASRAMES) so that vulnerable populations in the remote health regions of North Kivu can have better access to medication and other medical supplies.
A long-standing health collaboration in North Kivu
UNICEF is responding to the need for shipping vaccinations and other vital medications from the head supplier in the province to the remote health regions. The interruptions in receiving stock and not having sufficient amounts of medical supplies in the health care facilities represent major roadblocks in offering quality health care in the province.
For more than three years, UNICEF has been collaborating closely with the Provincial Health Division (Division provinciale de la santé (DPS)) and ASRAMES to improve the health system through the maintenance of the cold chain equipment as well as its conditions, and storage and distribution of family kits in the health regions of North Kivu.
I encourage ASRAMES, therefore, to work with the Provincial Health Division to establish mechanisms which will enable efficient use of this vehicle for the benefit of the North Kivu population”, declared Thierry Dentice, UNICEF Bureau Chief, East DRC Zone, during the official hand-over of the truck to ASRAMES, last June 27 in Goma.
UNICEF, supplier of vaccinations for women and children
UNICEF is one of the major partners in the provision of vaccinations and accompanying supplies, cold chain equipment, and essential medicines that increase the prevention and treatment of childhood killer diseases at the community level.
In the context of a mortality rate that is still very high for mothers and infants, it is crucial that efforts be shared at all levels in order to be able to have a greater availability of medicines, vaccinations and other specific supplies at the community level.
“UNICEF is reiterating its commitment to support the efforts by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo so that the number of children, newborns and families who benefit from the quality interventions, increases significantly at the population health level between now and 2030 “, concluded the UNICEF Bureau Chief in the East DRC region.
A truck to improve access to quality medical supplies
The Provincial Health Minister in North Kivu, Dr Kambumbu Kayenga Martial, recalled that access to quality health care remains one of the DRC government’s priorities. He recognized that ASRAMES is an essential player within the province’s health system, as the association is a provider of necessary medical supplies to the health facilities.
He concluded that the Congolese government will spare no effort to support and follow-up on ASRAMES actions in order to work together to improve the health of the people in North Kivu.