Cooperation: Polio vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
ROME, Italy, May 31, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Italian Development Cooperation is engaged in a campaign to combat polio in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The ceremony launching the campaign took place in Kalemie, in the district of Tanganika, in Katanga Province. Attending the ceremony were the Italian Ambassador, Pio Mariani, Health Minister Victor Makwenge Kaput, and representatives of UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The DRC is one of the countries most badly affected by the resurgence of this terrible epidemic in this region of Africa. The Congolese Government has drawn up, with the WHO, a rapid response plan to combat the spread of infection from the Polio Virus.
In response to the appeal to the international community for financial support for the plan, the Italian Government, acting through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation, immediately earmarked 80,000 euros. This funding is intended for logistical support for the vaccination campaign in different provinces of the country.
In his opening address, Minister Kaput expressed his warm thanks to Italy for the support provided to the Congolese people in the health field. The DGDC has set up a number of health cooperation programmes in the DRC through both emergency and normal channels. Initiatives include campaigns to combat epidemics, basic health-care support and support for the institutions in reorganising the country’s health system.
SOURCE
Italy – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
