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The UN Secretary-General considered Angola as an example in combating polio

Luanda, 27 February 2012 – The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki-moon, considered on Monday in Luanda as an example in the fighting against poliomyelitis, even when the country was coming out of conflict for its reconstruction.

Ban Ki-moon was speaking at the opening ceremony of the National Immunization Campaign against polio, held Monday in Viana district. "I would like to congratulate the President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos, on funding this campaign and his personal commitment to this cause," asserted the UN chief, who also seized the occasion to thank other various Angolan entities who are directly supporting this vaccination campaign.

The UN Secretary-General also recognized that the results of this work are evident. According to him, the number of the polio cases is decreasing in children and some localities in various provinces have reported no polio case over one year. However, the UN Secretary-General consider important to continue with campaigns of this kind.

Ban Ki-moon also noted that polio eradication has to be considered as a public emergency, reason why Angola understands this priority. He mentioned that seven million people in the world can currently move thanks the global campaign against polio. Ban Ki-moon is paying a 48-hour working visit to Angola since last Sunday.

The Angolan Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health, Georges Chicoti and José Van-Dúnem, respectively, as well as by the provincial governor of Luanda, Bento Bento attended the event at “500 Casas” Health Centre.