March, 5, 2025, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea || In a significant move to bolster rural healthcare, the Digicel Foundation Health Program has announced the purchase of three vaccine fridges during the previous financial year. These fridges will be officially launched in May 2025, with an ambitious target of acquiring an additional eight solar-powered vaccine fridges to be distributed to various health facilities across the country.

The solar vaccine fridges are essential medical supplies for rural health centers. They are capable of storing vaccines for polio, measles, tetanus, and COVID-19, as well as blood products for emergency transfusions. With their ice-making capabilities, these fridges enable health workers to conduct mobile outreach vaccinations, thereby reaching more children in remote areas.

"Digicel PNG Foundation continues to invest in its health programs because we believe that a healthy community is a vibrant community, protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases," said Serena Sasingian, CEO of Digicel PNG Foundation. "To date, our team has supported six rural health centers with solar vaccine fridges, immunizing a total of 14,493 patients."

Vaccine-preventable diseases remain a significant global health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines prevent approximately 2.5 million deaths each year. Diseases such as measles, polio, and tetanus can be effectively controlled through vaccination, significantly reducing child mortality rates.

The Foundation's commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure is evident in its ongoing efforts to provide vital resources to underserved communities. The new solar-powered fridges will further extend the reach of immunization programs, ensuring that more children receive life-saving vaccines.

The launch of these fridges in May 2025 marks a significant milestone in the Foundation's mission to improve health outcomes in rural Papua New Guinea. By equipping clinics with these advanced fridges, the Foundation is not only enhancing the storage and distribution of vaccines but also empowering health workers to deliver critical services to a larger population.