unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/12/89)
UNICEF: CHILD SURVIVAL DECADE PROPOSED BY OAU
The Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity meeting in
Addis Ababa urges that the last decade of this century be dedicated to the
survival of Africa's children.
A council resolution, to be adopted by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State
and Government this week, comes amidst reports that Africa has made
enormous progress during the past few years towards achieving the goal of
Universal Child Immunisation (UCI) by 1990.
Speaking to journalists after a closed session of the Council of
Ministers, OAU Assistant Secretary-General M. Mapuranga said 40,000
children on the continent die of preventable diseases every day. The six
major diseases being tackled under the UCI programme are measles, whooping
cough, diphtheria, tuberculosis, polio and tetanus.
After considering its agenda on child survival and development, the
Council also endorsed a proposal that an international conference be held
at the highest possible level, to discuss the problems of the child in
Africa.
Djibril Diallo, Senior Adviser to the Executive Director of UNICEF, told
the ministerial conference that economic adjustment measures being taken
in Africa "should not adversely affect those who are already most
disadvantaged, especially the children." UNICEF is endeavouring to build
up a "grand alliance for children" that would bring together not only
those who have professional responsibility for children, but also
religious leaders, parliamentarians, trade unionists, employers'
organisations and journalists, Diallo said.
Last year, the OAU Summit passed three separate resolutions on issues of
direct concern to children: Child Survival and Development, the Bamako
Initiative and AIDS.
Source: Division of Information
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