Eni Foundation assists children in Congo
Eni Foundation is carrying out its first children’s health initiative in the Republic of Congo.
Launched in the second half of 2007, the project, named Salissa Mwana (Let's protect the children), aims to improve, in cooperation with the local Ministry of Health and Fondation Congo Assistance, child health care in rural areas of the Country through a wide-ranging epidemiological screening and vaccination program against the main diseases: tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox, polio, diphtheria/tetanus/whooping cough, hepatitis B, yellow fever.
Eni Foundation’s commitment to promoting children’s health
Aware of the importance of promoting health as a key factor in human development, Eni Foundation has decided to tackle some of the major global health emergencies affecting children, by supporting the efforts of the international community aimed at reducing, within the framework of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals, the incidence of the main diseases, such as malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS.
As part of its much broader commitment to children’s health, Eni Foundation aims to improve the efficiency of local health services and to promote effective primary prevention measures, in particular by supporting epidemiological surveillance and immunization programs.
The project, which has a strong structural focus, also aims to: strengthen the capabilities of primary health structures at the local level; build awareness among the rural population of the importance of prevention; improve the skills and competence of local health workers.
In order to achieve these objectives, 30 Peripheral Health Centers will be completely refurbished and provided with medical equipment, electricity, drinking water. 10 mobile units, on road and on water, will be employed to support the epidemiological surveillance and immunization programs.
The areas involved are the remote rural districts in the Niari (south-west) and Cuvette (north) regions, where overall immunization rates are quite low, and the surrounding areas of Pointe Noire, in the Kouilou (south-west).
The project will benefit a total estimated infant population (0-5 year-olds) of 200,000, about 30% of the Country’s children.
Contacts
Eni Foundation
Piazzale Enrico Mattei 1
00144 Roma - ITALIA
Tel 06 59824108 - Fax 06 59822106
e-mail: enifoundation@eni.com
Salissa Mwana - Project aimed at improving child healthcare in the remote areas of Congo
Eni Foundation is conducting wide-ranging vaccination and epidemiological screening program against the principal infant disease in the Kouilou, Niari and Cuvette regions.
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