UNICEF, Global Fund To Upgrade Medical Warehouses In Imo

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with Global Fund, says it is upgrading central medical warehouses in Imo State to international standards so as to meet the health needs of the people.

UNICEF’s acting chief of Enugu Field Office,  Olusoji Akinleye, stated this yesterday at the official handover of the facilities to UNICEF by the Imo State government in Owerri.

Akinleye, represented by UNICEF contract specialist, Benjamin Makolo, stressed that the project, expected to be completed by December this year, is aimed at strengthening the state’s logistics management system as part of its health system.

According to him, this is a multi- partner venture, with the Global Fund taking the lead in providing the resources for the project.

UNICEF’s head of Vaccine Supply Logistics (VSL) in the state, Benjamin Nwabuisi, said a bidding process had taken place and vendors selected, with paper work already completed for the commencement of the project.

“The bidding process has been concluded and vendors selected, MoU’s have been signed with the states and we’re here today for the sites to be handed over by the state government to the vendors for construction work to commence,” he said.

The director of Projects, MP Infrastructure (the contractors for the project), Pius Ike, said it will be a fast-tracked project, involving various levels of upgrade of existing warehouses.

Imo State commissioner for Health, Dr Success Prosper-Ohayagha, thanked UNICEF and its partners for considering the state for such a project.

He restated the commitment of the Gov Hope Uzodinma-led administration to effective healthcare reforms and development, adding that the project would receive full support from the state’s Ministry of Health.