Tunis, Tunisia – 19 September 2025 – Libya’s Mid-level Managers Training in Cold Chain and Vaccine Management (CCVM) has successfully concluded in Tunis. Facilitated by GaneshAID and UNICEF with the support of Africa CDC, the Mastercard Foundation, the National Centre for Disease Control in Libya, the Ministry of Health in Tunisia, and WHO, the five-day program brought together 33 national and sub-national immunization managers from Libya. The training focused on strengthening practical skills in vaccine handling and cold chain management to build a more resilient immunization supply chain.
The sessions were guided by experienced facilitators: Srihari Dutta (Regional Health Specialist, UNICEF MENARO), Dorothy Leab (Technical Advisor), Mohamed Fayez Othman (Senior Immunization Supply Chain Specialist), and Ali Muhaidat (Cold Chain and Planning Expert). Under their leadership, participants enhanced their understanding of immunization supply chain systems, practiced Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessments, and developed costed Continuous Improvement Plans (cIP) aligned with national health strategies.
Facilitator Mohamed Fayez Othman emphasized that participants are now better equipped to predict, manage, and monitor the vaccination process with greater attention to equity, child vulnerability, and vaccine sensitivity. Some are also prepared to cascade the training to more than 1,500 vaccine workers in Libya, ensuring that the knowledge gained will translate into reduced wastage, stronger processes, and improved vaccine preservation across the health system.
A highlight of the training was the field visits. Participants observed the new national vaccination store, including its design, cold rooms, preparation areas, vehicle management, and vaccine distribution planning. They also visited the Tunisian Ministry of Health to learn from its cold chain and vaccine management experience, exploring operational cold rooms and effective working models. These visits provided direct exposure to successful systems, translating technical knowledge into real-world practice.
Looking ahead, twelve selected participants continued with a Training of Trainers (ToT) pathway. The training was designed to introduce trainers to the handbook’s content while strengthening their facilitation skills through interactive methods and hands-on demonstrations. By the end of the program, they will cascade knowledge to colleagues at sub-national levels across Libya, ensuring health workers nationwide benefit from the CCVM content. This multiplier approach is expected to expand capacity, reduce vaccine wastage, and help raise Libya’s EVM performance score from 45% towards the global benchmark of 80%.
The conclusion of this training is a milestone in Libya’s health system strengthening efforts. By empowering 33 immunization managers with advanced skills, the program lays the foundation for sustainable improvements in cold chain and vaccine management.GaneshAID extends its deepest gratitude to all partners who made this training possible: Africa CDC, the Mastercard Foundation, the National Centre for Disease Control in Libya, UNICEF, the Ministry of Health in Tunisia, the National Cold Chain and Vaccine Management Resource Centre, and WHO. Their collaboration was vital to the success of the program and to advancing Libya’s journey toward effective immunization and equitable vaccine access.
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