Ethiopia is Redefining Cold Chain Sustainability

A vaccine is only as effective as the cold chain system it moves across. Yet, in many low- and middle-income countries, maintaining that system is a constant race against poor infrastructure and equipment failure. In a three-part series published on Gavi’s VaccinesWork blog, we explore how JSI partnered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health to move beyond simple hardware procurement toward a sustainable, low-cost cold chain optimization. These stories demonstrate how targeted technical assistance can transform cold chain maintenance from a reactive struggle into proactive, government-led excellence.

The Heart of the Machine: People Are the Secret Ingredient of a High-Functioning Cold Chain

JSI partnered with the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) to shift cold chain maintenance from a reactive approach to a proactive, government-led system of excellence. By updating job descriptions and providing hands-on training with tools like intuitive fridge monitor applications, the cold chain workforce became able to perform complex repairs and make data-driven decisions that ensure vaccine safety. Read more.

The Cold Chain Relies on Technicians. It Works Better When They Can Rely on Each Other.

JSI worked with the EPSS to build a peer-to-peer Telegram network for Ethiopian maintenance technicians, transforming previously isolated workers into a connected workforce capable of instant, real-time troubleshooting. This connection enables technicians to share diagnostic photos, best practices, and technical manuals, drastically reducing equipment downtime. Read more.

Cutting Costs, Boosting Confidence: A Data-First Approach to Cold Chain Maintenance

JSI helped the Ministry of Health introduce the Varo/Pogo-LT application to transform isolated FridgeTag temperature data into actionable diagnostic reports for regional technicians. This real-time visibility allows for remote pre-diagnosis and targeted maintenance, ensuring that cold chain failures are addressed immediately to maximize health system efficiency. Read more.