Through these short conversations, we try to understand what our customers think of us. Today, we are traveling to Benin to meet Dr. Landry KAUCLEY, Public health physician, Director of Vaccination and Logistics for Benin’s at the Ministry of Health in Benin. He manages the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). The EPI is a national routine immunization program aimed at preventing childhood diseases.

1. Can you explain what the EPI does and what your role is?

The Expanded Program on Immunization is a vital national program established by the government with the aim of improving public health by providing routine vaccinations and disease prevention. The program was introduced in the country in 1982 and provides vaccinations for potentially fatal diseases such as measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, meningococcal meningitis, etc. More recently, the malaria vaccine has also been included in the program.

As you know, vaccines must be stored at very specific temperatures. My role is to ensure that the healthcare system has the right equipment for vaccination, whether for routine vaccinations or for campaigns.

2. Why is there a need for medical refrigeration in your organization? 

In addition to routine immunization, we carry out many vaccination campaigns in the country for preventable diseases for which vaccines exist, including polio, measles, sometimes meningitis, and yellow fever. Our campaigns vary depending on the epidemics that are circulating. We therefore need equipment to store vaccines at the temperature recommended by the WHO. Vaccines are stored at different levels: the central level stores vaccines and then supplies the regional level, which in turn supplies the various health centers located in the outlying areas. We therefore use storage and transport equipment for vaccines.

3. Which products did you buy from B Medical Systems? For which purpose?

From B Medical Systems, we use standard medical refrigerators approved for vaccine storage (electric or solar power), cold boxes, vaccine carriers, as well as some freezers and transport vehicles. We have the following models: TCW2000AC – TCW40SDD – TCW2043SDD – RCW25 –. We have around 250 solar models and around 100 models that run on electricity.

4. What are the features that you liked the most? Could you please talk about the performance of the devices?

Firstly, these products are recommended by the WHO and therefore have PQS certification. Users appreciate the quality and design of the equipment. It is easy to use and, so far, we have not encountered any problems. The temperature monitoring system is integrated directly into the equipment, and this innovation is greatly appreciated.

5. How are you using the B Medical Systems product and how does it benefit your institution?

We use the products to store our vaccines at various levels: central, regional, and local. We also monitor the temperature at the central level, which allows us to remotely control the temperature, see if there are any deviations, and make decisions quickly. We also use refrigerated vehicles to transport vaccines from the central level.

6. Have you found in B Medical Systems a trustworthy partner?

Yes, for sure.

7. How did you learn about B Medical Systems?

We were already using Dometic appliances back then.

8. How long have you been a customer of B Medical Systems?

Since 2006, I would say.

9. Are you satisfied with our equipment?

Yes, as I said, we have no major complaints about this equipment.

10. Would you recommend B Medical Systems to your peers?

Yes, I would recommend it because the equipment helps to strengthen the expanded vaccination program.

Download as a PDF here.