Strengthening Latin American health systems with Dulas cold chain equipment

Dulas has worked in the LATAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) region for over 40 years, ensuring life-saving vaccines reach every community. This case study explores how Dulas has used its 40+ years of regional expertise to work closely with Ministries of Health, delivering robust cold chain equipment and sustainable solutions essential for successful, far-reaching immunisation programs.

Peru

Dulas has supplied over 1,000 solar-powered refrigerators in Peru, primarily in collaboration with the Peruvian Ministry of Health. One particularly challenging installation was for an isolated health post in Buenas Lomas Nueva, serving the Matses tribe deep within the Peruvian Amazon jungle. Transporting the refrigerator was a logistical feat, requiring both helicopter and boat. Once operational, the fridge became more than just a piece of equipment; it served as a focal point for a crucial education programme. This initiative, aided by the Swiss non-governmental organisation Nouvelle Planete, was established to finance the Matses’ health worker training and education which are essential skills for survival in such a remote location.

Extending our reach in Peru, Dulas also delivered and installed solar-powered refrigerators in the remote jungle communities of Yupicusa and Nuevo Belen. These inaccessible, off-grid locations now benefit from Dulas’ reliable vaccine refrigeration, ensuring the safe storage of hundreds of life-saving vaccines.

Nicaragua

Committed to advancing health access across the region, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) worked with Dulas to upgrade the cold chain in Nicaragua. This collaboration recently saw Dulas supply ten VC60SDD vaccine refrigerators with integrated ice pack freezers to the Ministry of Health (Minsa). Minsa, based in Managua, manages a significant network of care, covering 36 primary care hospitals, 32 regional hospitals, 146 health facilities, and over 1,000 health posts. Our local in-country partner handled the full installation and continues to provide project support and training to ensure reliable vaccine protection throughout Minsa’s vast operational reach.

Venezuela

Dulas has a long history of supporting Venezuela’s cold chain, having supplied over 300 vaccine refrigerators with ice pack freezers to the country. Beyond equipment supply, Dulas partnered with UNICEF to deliver an impactful online bilingual training session (in Spanish and English). This session was attended by over 150 health care workers, including Ministry of Health cold chain technicians and end-users, and covered essential topics such as product details, maintenance procedures, and simple fault-finding to ensure long-term, effective operation.