[misc.headlines.unitex] ROTARIANS SUPPORT MAGHREB IMMUNIZATION DAY

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)


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