Rotary Ghana and Rotary International have provided GH?170,000 towards the construction of a Vaccine Cold Room for the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate.

It was part of GH?257,000 required to construct the facility.

Mr. Sam Worentetu, Chairman of Ghana National Polio Plus Committee (GNPPC) Rotary International, speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony in Accra on Monday stated that the project was another manifestation of the close collaboration with Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health.

“Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in Ghana in collaboration with other Rotary clubs throughout the world have supported and would continue to support the numerous health initiatives in Ghana,” he said.

Mr. Worentetu said several Rotary clubs in the country had initiated and maintained medical outreaches in collaboration with Rotarian medical personnel from India, Holland, US and other countries especially in dental and eye care.

He said Rotary International had been at the forefront of helping in the fight for polio eradication in the country, whilst Rotary Foundation had supported the efforts with more than $6.5 million.

Mr. Worentetu said Ghana, since November 2008 had not recorded any issue of polio, saying, “Having come this far, Rotarians in Ghana and indeed Rotary International cannot afford to see Ghana slide on the road to being declared polio-free.”

Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister noted that, though immunisation was an effective way of protecting individuals, especially children and communities from infectious diseases, the vaccines should be stored within the temperature range recommended by the World Health Organisation(WHO) to keep them potent.

“Incorrect storage of vaccines is not only wasteful and costly to the National Health Insurance Scheme; the failure to store vaccines correctly, particularly at a temperature below the manufacturer’s and the WHO recommendations and standards could reduce vaccines effectiveness and cause vaccine failures,” he added.

Nii Afotey Agbo stated that government alone could not afford to provide health facilities and other developmental needs, but would require the active support from non-governmental organisations and the promotion of private sector-government partnership in many areas of the economy.

“It is therefore in this connection that I see the contribution of Rotary as a welcome gesture and it is my firm conviction that Rotary will continue to complement efforts of government in future and in many sectors of the economy.”

The project, which is expected to be completed and inaugurated before the end of the year, would make the Region the last to construct a vaccine cold room in the country.**