NATIONAL POLIO IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN EGYPT

Mahmoud Kabil and Dr. Magda Rakha dispense polio drops

Cairo, April 27, 2004 – Egypt has begun its latest nationwide campaign against the polio virus with the start of the latest National Immunization Day (NID) under the auspices of Egypt's First Lady Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

The campaign was launched at the Omraneya health centre in Giza governorate, where Dr Magda Rakha, First Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, UNICEF Representative Shahida Azfar, leading actor and UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador, Mahmoud Kabil, helped dispense polio vaccine to babies and young children. Also present was the Deputy Governor of Giza, General Mohamed Yassin Badawy.

Addressing journalists and other guests, Dr Rakha praised the professionalism and dedication of the vaccination teams charged with taking polio vaccine to every home across the country. She expressed gratitude for the support of Egypt's various international and national partners; together with UNICEF, these include the World Health Organization, the US Agency for International Development, Rotary International, the Government of Japan, and the General Federation for NGOs.

The Cairo citadel was the backdrop for the TV advertisement promoting the April NID

For his part, Mr Kabil, who is currently appearing in a television advertisement promoting the National Immunisation Day (NID), expressed his pleasure at being part of such an important campaign

In her remarks, Ms Azfar pointed to the progress made in the fight against polio globally over recent years. She praised Egypt's contribution to the campaign, adding that the success of the current NID was critical to ensuring that -- by the end of 2004 -- Egypt joined the ranks of countries who have successfully eradicated the disease.

"Every effort must be made," said Ms Azfar, "to ensure that we immunize every Egyptian child aged under 5 wherever he or she lives – whether in the high-rise apartments of Cairo and Alexandria or in the remote hamlets of Upper Egypt."

The NID continues until April 29th 2004.

For further information please contact:

Simon Ingram, Communication Officer, UNICEF Egypt
Singram@unicef.org
Tel: (202) 5265083-87 Ext 210 / 208
Fax: (202) 526