The ceremony for handover of medical equipment has been held, under the European Union (EU)-funded COVID-19 Vaccination Support project implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The event was organized with participation of Azerbaijani Deputy Health Minister Nadir Zeynalov, Head of the Medical Services Department at the Administration of Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB) Teymur Mirzabeyli, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Azerbaijan Hande Harmanci, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko, as well as local healthcare counterparts.

During the ceremony, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Health and the Administration of Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB) were handed over 3,000 electronic freeze indicators, 520 vaccine carriers, 70 different size cold boxes and 1,800 thirty-day temperature monitoring devices for all the refrigerators of vaccination points throughout the country for strengthening the cold chain system in Azerbaijan, as well as to store and transport the COVID-19 and other routine vaccines.

During the event, the importance of the equipment handed over to the national counterparts in terms of strengthening the cold chain system in the country and safe delivery of vaccines to people was noted. It was further noted that training courses will be organized for staff members of all the vaccination points to ensure proper use of the provided equipment. In line with the cold chain inventory conducted across the country with the technical support of WHO, it is planned to supply more required cold chain equipment and devices under the Project.

Implemented by WHO Country Office in Azerbaijan since June 2021, the EU-funded COVID-19 Vaccination Support project covers three years and aims to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen routine immunization programs across the country. The project is part of the continued support of the European Union and WHO to Azerbaijan