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Angola

Plan to combat poliomyelitis gets USD 5 million

Luanda – At least USD five million were recently made available by the Angolan Government to the World Health Organization (WHO) to reinforce the implementation of the Emergency Plan to fight against Poliomyelitis until 2013.

According to a press note from the United Nation agency, the increase made by the executive aims to reinforce the activities to combat the disease in 51 municipalities of 12 provinces considered with higher risks of transmission.

The document states that money will be used in programs of vaccination an activity that will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health and technically assisted by the WHO in collaboration with the World Coalition against Polio, UNICEF, Rotary International as well as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Cabinda, Cunene, Huila, Kuando Kubango, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Uíge and Zaire.

The initiative of Angolan government means for the Regional Director of WHO for Africa, Luis Gomes Sambo as the clear involvement of the Angolan authorities in the fight against the disease.

The National Emergency Plan against Poliomyelitis was approved in 2010 aims to stop the spread of the disease in the country.