A new film about the fight to eradicate polio in Nigeria made with UNICEF, WHO and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Nigeria is one of just four countries in the world where polio is endemic.
UNICEF: Campaign to vaccinate 53 million against polio
OGUN, Nigeria, 30 March 2009 In the village of Madoga, trained community health workers from Nigeria and Benin Republic work together to reach all the children in the community. They are part of a mass campaign synchronised between eight West African countries that has aimed to reach more than 50 million children with the polio vaccine over the last four days.
Nigeria is one of just four countries in the world with endemic polio. In 2003, controversy surrounding the vaccine resulted in many parents refusing to immunise their children. This led to a large increase in the number of cases, and the reinfection of seven other African countries.
The Nigerian Government is determined to eradicate polio. With the support of UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Rotary International, they are leading the initiative.
To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/nigeria_48969.html
UNICEF: Rwandan conference on children with HIV and Aids
KIGALI, Rwanda, 16 December 2008 — The Mashirika Theatre group opened the countrys annual Conference on Children Affected By HIV/AIDS. The performers and children are survivors of the 1994 genocide.
The three-day conference attracted over 300 international and national researchers, development practitioners, experts and Rwanda children with the theme of ‘equity in financing services’ for HIV-affected children.
The 1994 Genocide left many children orphaned and some have lost one or both parents to the HIV pandemic, said Executive Secretary of the Rwandan National Aids Control Commission Dr. Anita Asiimwe. She hailed Rwandans for taking responsibility for orphaned and vulnerable children.