The World Health Organisation (WHO) has honoured Nepal with a certificate of recognition for its contribution to the development and introduction of vaccine vial monitors (VVM) to improve access to immunisation at country level.

A press release issued by Permanent Mission of Nepal in Geneva said that Charge d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations at Geneva , Bharat Raj Paudyal, received the recognition, on behalf of Nepal, amid a special programme organised at the WHO headquarters on Thursday.

“VVM, a user friendly technology, is said to be particularly useful for the countries and regions where they lack reliable cold chain while transporting the vaccine to remote areas and identify whether its potent is lost due to exposure,” the statement added.

Speaking at the function at the WHO headquarters in Geneva to mark the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the VVM, Assistant Director General of the Organisation, Daisy Mafubelu, stated that Nepal was honoured in recognition of her contribution in validation study of VVM prototype in early 1980s and impact study of VVM in 1997.