unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/11/89)
ROTARIANS SUPPORT MAGHREB IMMUNIZATION DAY Posting Date: 10/09/89 Copyright UNITEX Communications, 1989 UNITEX Network, USA ISSN: 1043-7932 Maghreb Rotarians will actively support a first-ever immunization event to be held simultaneously in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia on 14 October in order to increase coverage against polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and tuberculosis. The plan for the Maghreb Immunization Day, supported by UNICEF and WHO, was drafted in May by an Inter-Maghreb Commission, comprised of representatives of the five countries' ministries of health. It seeks to accelerate national immunization programmes by lifting coverage for children against the six EPI diseases to 80 per cent and by immunizing women of child-bearing age against tetanus, while enhancing ties among the five countries. A recent WHO document reports 1988 levels of polio immunization to be: Algeria, 66 per cent; Libya, 52 per cent; Mauritania, 61 per cent; Morocco, 78 per cent; and Tunisia, 89 per cent. There are 26 Rotary clubs throughout the Maghreb countries. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International has awarded PolioPlus grants totaling more than US$3.6 million to support immunization in Algeria, Mauritania, and Morocco. A PolioPlus grant for Tunisia will be considered by Rotary Foundation trustees in October. Grants provide funds for both polio vaccine and other needs including social mobilization and cold chain equipment. PolioPlus is a program of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to help eradicate polio and support childhood immunization in developing countries. World Rotarians raised US$230 million for the programme of which some US$108 has been commited to protect 478 million children in 82 countries. In each country. Rotarian participation is co-ordinated with government authorities, UNICEf, WHO and other donor agencies. Source: Mohamed Moufadil, Rotary Rabat * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | United Nations | Did u read patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange | today? -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-