Award ceremony will bring scientists together to address issues affecting Africa and the current Ebola epidemic
The 2014 International UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize for Research in Life Sciences has been awarded to two scientists and one research institution in recognition of their efforts to improve the quality of human life.
The Prize recipients are Professor Hossein Baharvand, from Iran, a Specialist in Stem Cells and Developmental Biology at the Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology and the Head of Department of Developmental Biology at Iran’s University of Science and Culture, whose stem cell research has led numerous applications in regenerative medicine; Andre Bationo, from Burkina-Faso, a specialist in soil chemistry whose work has led to improved techniques for agricultural production in Africa; and the Instituto de Medicina Tropical von Humboldt (IMT) at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia of Peru. The Institute was founded in 1968 with the mission of promoting education and research on the most prevalent tropical diseases in Peru. From its founding, it has performed high quality research that has contributed to controlling diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, HIV-AIDS and others.
During the announcement, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) highlighted the Prize’s objective of mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development and fostering capacity-building in science and innovation. This is the second year the prize has been awarded. It was established by the government of Equatorial Guinea to reward projects and activities of individuals, institutions, other entities or non-governmental organizations for scientific research in the life sciences, with a view to improving the quality of human life. UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova, announced the recipients on August 26 and said they will be presented next month in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Next month in Equatorial Guinea, a scientific round table will address issues of particular concern to Africa and the world as a whole, including the management of the current Ebola epidemic, the African traditional pharmacopoeia and its potential integration into public health systems among other issues.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Invests In Social Welfare
Country provides basic infrastructure to contribute to the
national economic Growth
The government of Equatorial Guinea has built basic
infrastructure in the country over the past 20 years such as social housing,
roads, electricity, health and education facilities, and water accessibility,
said Equatorial Guinea’s Health Secretary of State, Maria del Carmen Andeme
Ela.
Secretary of State Andeme Ela recently highlighted important
actions the government has undertaken to improve social welfare for its
citizens at the Equatorial
Guinea Economic Forum, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on
August 8.
She also said, “citizens have access to government sponsored
vaccines and medicine to fight malaria and other diseases. We have worked to
improve services for reproductive and child health including early detection of
risk pregnancies, which has reduced infant mortality and maternal mortality.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has had support
from development partners and due to the country’s progressive economic growth,
it has been able to provide free public health services.
As a next step to improve the social welfare of its
citizens, the government is working to provide access to health services via a
health card, update regulations in the pharmaceutical sector, and provide an
extensive program of human resource development at all levels.
Labels:
Equatorial Guinea,
Guinea Ecuatorial
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Highlights Gains In Health Sector
Indicators
of Public Health are Steadily Improving
Equatorial Guinea’s infant
mortality rate has decreased from 111 in 1994 to 65 per one thousand in 2011,
said the country’s Health Secretary of State, Maria del Carmen Andeme Ela. She
also reported that the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care
from skilled health personnel has increase from 61% in 2000 to 91.3% this year.
Secretary of
State Andeme Ela recently discussed the national health system and programs
available in the country at the Equatorial Guinea Economic Forum, held at the St. Regis Hotel in
Washington, D.C., on August 8. The economic forum aimed to highlight the
strategic commitment of Equatorial Guinea to economic diversification and
encourage investment by American companies.
The government
of Equatorial Guinea has heavily invested in the country’s health sector as
part of UN Millennium health goals and the country’s Horizon 2020 development
plan. Secretary Andeme Ela highlighted how the country’s social-health profile are
steadily improving. She said that births attended by skilled health personnel
have increased from 52% in 2000 to 70% in 2014.
She also cited
improvements in the country’s health infrastructure, which now includes 2
regional hospitals, 5 provincial hospitals, 11 district hospitals, 45 health
centers, 2 regional centers for blood transfusions, 4 provincial centers for
transfusions, 2 reference medical centers (La Paz) and 7 polyclinics (3
private), various medical offices and pharmacies throughout the country.
During her
presentation, Secretary Andeme Ela also outlined the national health programs
the country is currently undertaking, such as the vaccination program, the fight
against malaria, programs to provide essential medications and oral healthcare,
diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, the fight against non-infectious diseases,
efforts to control tuberculosis, leprosy and trypanosomes, the fight against
river blindness and filariosis, and promotion of health and reproductive
health.
The number of
medical and health professionals and technicians in the country is growing
significantly, although the country still suffers from a lack of specialists,
said Secretary Andame Ela. The Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National
University of Equatorial Guinea graduates about 45 medical students and 25
nursing students each year, and the National School of Public Health and
Environment graduates about 54 nurses annually. All told, the nation now has
more than 300 doctors, more than 350 nurses and similar professionals, and some
2,000 trained medical assistants and technicians. She said that the country had
only one Equatoguinean doctor when it gained independence in 1968.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Suspends Visas, Regional Flights as Part of Ebola Prevention Campaign
The government
of Equatorial Guinea has
temporarily suspended the issuance of visas from neighboring countries and
cancelled regionals flights by its national air carrier, Ceiba International,
as measures to protect the country against the spread of the Ebola virus.
This is one of a
number of preventive measures taken by the country after it formed a national
commission to lead anti-Ebola efforts.
The government
is also preparing to purchase additional ambulatory hospitals (tents), train
health personnel assigned to these health units and purchase drugs for
palliative treatment, among other initiatives.
Labels:
ebola,
ebola campaign,
Equatorial Guinea,
West Africa
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Launches Ebola Prevention Campaign
West African Nation takes early, proactive
approach steps to contain potential spread of the disease
The government
of Equatorial Guinea has
created a national health crisis committee as part of its efforts to mount a campaign
to prevent the spread of ebola to the country.
The ebola
prevention campaign aims to purchase the necessary materials to control the infection
and manage cases of infection that might arise, as well as two special
ambulances to transfer ebola patients, and two thermographic cameras for the
airports in Malabo and Bata. The campaign also plans to acquire 8 ambulatory
hospitals (tents), train health personnel assigned to these health units and
purchase drugs for palliative treatment.
The government is
also considering taking body-temperature readings with laser thermometers at the
country’s entry points and with thermographic cameras at airports in Malabo and
Bata and creating awareness campaigns for governors, the government delegates
and the presidents of neighborhood communities and village councils in order to
provide information down to the village level on ways to prevent the
transmission of ebola.
The government will
also deliver notification forms to the airports, ports and airlines; raise
awareness among the population and emphasize how ebola can be transferred from
infected animals to humans and from person to person; create massive awareness at
the national level on protective measures through television, radio spots, churches,
schools, and markets; and organize teams at the national, provincial and
district levels to carry out a comprehensive campaign on the prevention of this
pandemic in the provinces and districts.
Minister Diosdado
Vicente Nsue Milang and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare have been
leading the campaign efforts with the cooperation of the Ministry of
Information, Press and Radio, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Local
Corporations, and the Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs.
The Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea has been proactive in
implementing awareness campaigns to fight diseases affecting the African
continent. Earlier this year, they implemented a comprehensive campaign to
immunize the nation’s children against polio. The government worked closely
with World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, United
Nations (UN),Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation and
others to implement this proactive campaign.
Labels:
Africa,
ebola,
Equatorial Guinea
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Minister Obiang Lima Meets with U.S. Congresswoman Fudge
Equatorial
Guinea’s Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, Gabriel Obiang Lima, recently met with U.S.
Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge
to discuss the development of important cultural and economic ties between the
Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the United States of America’s institutions.
“The Ministry of
Mines, Industry and Energy is more than willing to open the doors for any
potential investor who is willing to develop the country and contribute to our
efforts of diversifying our economy. We want to develop all industries as we
have the capacity and the willingness,” said Minister Obiang Lima during the
meeting with Congresswoman Fudge.
Minister Obiang
Lima invited Congresswoman Fudge and members of the Congressional Black Caucus
to visit Equatorial Guinea to see the developments the country is experiencing.
Equatorial Guinea and United States Sign Air Transport Agreement
Equatorial
Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, signed
an open skies air transport agreement with United States Assistant Secretary
for Economic and Business Affairs, Charles Rivkin aimed at formalizing the
liberalization of their bilateral aviation relationship on august 7, 2014.
Equatorial
Guinea and the United States initialed the agreement in December 2013, and it
has been applied via comity and reciprocity since that time. The open skies air
transport agreement goes into effect upon the signing by the two parties. The
agreement allows unrestricted air service for the airlines of both countries
and eliminates restrictions on the frequency of flights, the type of airplanes
that can be used and the prices each airline charges.
The agreement
will allow for the strengthening and expansion of trade and tourism links between
Equatorial Guinea and the United States, which should benefit both countries. Business
travelers and tourists alike will benefit from expanded opportunities for air
service and greater price competition by
airlines, while commitments to aviation safety and security will be maintained.
Air service to
Equatorial Guinea has grown significantly over the last several years. The
country currently is served by Air France, Ethiopian, Iberia, Lufthansa, Royal
Air Maroc, and Equatorial Guinea’s national carrier, Ceiba International, among
others.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Obiang Highlights Opportunities for American Investors tt Forum Held In Washington
President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo presented the opportunities offered in
Equatorial Guinea to foreign investors and said that American companies
operating in the country can take credit for pioneering a national industry
that is now contributing to the development of both Equatorial Guinea and the
American economy.
Referring to
American companies operating in Equatorial Guinea, president Obiang said, “They
are true ambassadors of the opportunities offered and Equatorial Guinea will be
presented to them in this forum.”
The Equatorial
Guinea Economic Forum, which was held at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington,
D.C., aimed to highlight the strategic commitment of Equatorial Guinea to
economic diversification and encourage investment by American companies. The
forum presented opportunities for growth in the sectors of agriculture, finance,
health, mining and hydrocarbons. In addition, it presented the new structure of
governance in the country, the status of the Horizon 2020 economic and social
development program, and the country’s commitment to ensure the security of foreign
investments in Equatorial Guinea.
In his opening
remarks, President Obiang said that Equatorial Guinea is committed to reaching
the Millennium Development Goals by 2020, including reaching the status of
“emergent economy,” which he described as a self-sufficient economy.
“Our country is
devoting all efforts to achieve economic diversification by developing other
sectors and services that allow us to reduce dependence on the hydrocarbon
sector,” he said.
“In order to
associate the American private sector in the implementation of this vast
program of economic diversification, and based on the positive experience of oil
companies operating in our country,” he said, “we are here again to share opportunities that
our country can offer to those who wish to invest in the many sectors.”
Equatorial
Guinea has used its petroleum resources to vastly improve basic economic and
social infrastructure, which is essential for establishing a profitable investment
climate.
“In this sense,”
he said, “the country has secured ports and airports, road network throughout
the country, electrification throughout the nation, health, telecommunications,
urban development and the transport network and other services, so that any investment
is made in the country with the maximum comfort.”
He said the
nation had established a national co-investment fund that will support national
and foreign private initiatives in the priority productive sectors of interest.
The fund is capitalized at one billion dollars.
“We are gathered
here to exchange information, know each other better and create an environment
of trust to facilitate the investment of foreign capital in Equatorial Guinea,”
he said.
President Obiang
said Washington, D.C., was political center of Africa this week. He said that leaders
at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit discussed the present and future of our
continent and the possibilities for mutual beneficial partnership between
Africa and the U.S.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Obiang Called For Increased Cooperation Between Africa and The United States
Equatorial
Guinea Reaffirms commitment to eradicate malaria from the country
President Obiang Nguema
Mbasogo called on American companies to increase cooperation with African
countries in remarks during a meeting marking the 10th anniversary
of the Malaria Control Program on the Island of Bioko (PCBIB).
In his closing
remarks, president Obiang gave his observations of the U.S.-Africa Leaders
Summit and the discussions of African and American leaders about the possibilities
for greater cooperation between the U.S. and the African continent.
“Our
relationship with American companies is a clear example of a positive
partnership on public and private investment that benefits both of our nations.
I would like to invite other private American companies to join to this positive
journey we are experiencing,” said Obiang.
President Obiang
highlighted the importance of the malaria-eradication program as an investment in
public health in Equatorial Guinea. He said, “We have partnered with American
private companies to reduce the transmission and the morbidity of this disease.
For this reason, the government of Equatorial Guinea and American private
partners have invested over $90 million in the last 10 years. This investment
has been key to reverse the adverse tendency of this disease.”
The biggest
impact of this program has been the vaccine project aimed at eliminating
malaria in the country by 2020. “Equatorial Guinea is in the process of
finalizing an agreement with our partners and Sanaria, an American
biotechnology company specialized in malaria vaccination, to reach our
objective to eradicate malaria not only from our country but the world,” he
said.
Since Equatorial
Guinea discovered oil, the government has used its revenues to improve the
quality of life of its citizens. The PCBIB is a clear example of how the
government is investing oil revenues in the country. The program is sponsored
by the Equatorial Guinea government, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, AMCO Methanol,
GePretrol and Sonagas.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Participates In Leader Sessions During U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
The Equatorial Guinea delegation,
led by President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, participated in the leaders session
that took place at the U.S. State Department on the last day of the U.S.-Africa
Leaders Summit, which is being held in Washington, D.C.
Today’s agenda focused on the
following leaders sessions: investing in Africa’s future, where attendees held
a dialogue on inclusive, sustainable development, economic growth, and
trade and investment; peace and regional stability to discuss shared concerns regarding peace and security, including
a conversation on long-term solutions to regional conflicts, peacekeeping
challenges, and combating transnational threats; and governing for the next
generation, where leaders discussed
the greatest challenges and opportunities for Africa’s continued political and
economic progress and a specific focus on governance.
The last day of the summit will conclude with a leaders
press conference. The inaugural U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit has brought African and U.S. leaders together to discuss
and address issues of shared interest and mutual concern.
Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady, Constancia Mangue Nsue de Obiang, joined other African First Ladies at a spousal
program focused on the impact of investments in education, health, and
public-private partnerships, which was hosted by the United States First Lady
Michelle Obama, in partnership with former First Lady Laura Bush and the Bush
Institute. The program is being held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts.
On Friday, August 8th,
Equatorial Guinea will host an economic forum where Minister of
Mines, Industry and Energy Gabriel
Mbaga Obiang Lima will speak about progress in the country and discuss the ways
the global energy market is changing and companies are looking outside of
traditional Western markets to identify new and emerging economies. The
transformations happening in Equatorial Guinea provide a snapshot of what is
happening across the African continent and throughout most of Asia.
In the last several years, some of
the world’s largest resource exploration companies, Marathon, Exxon Mobil,
Noble Energy and many more, have laid the foundation for development and
economic growth in many other aspects of the Equatorial Guinean economy. The
growth of the Equatorial Guinean economy benefits more than just the business
community in the country. It trickles down and is having a positive impact on
the entire population in the form of improved infrastructure, healthcare, and
education systems. With the essential infrastructure in place, President Obiang
is working to transform more than just the economy of Equatorial Guinea.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Equatorial Guinea Attends U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
Country
prepares to host Economic Forum in Washington, D.C.
Equatorial Guinea’s president,
Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, attended the U.S-Africa business forum hosted by
Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S Department of Commerce as part of the
U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit taking place in Washington, D.C. this week.
The business
forum brought African and U.S. leaders together to participate in the following
sessions: expanding opportunities, the new era for business in Africa; open
markets, financing the Africa of tomorrow; powering Africa, leading
developments in infrastructure; and game plan, shaping the future of a
fast-growing continent. U.S. President Obama will close the forum, which is
being held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This afternoon President Obiang will
join his counterparts at a dinner at the White House in honor of the U.S.-Africa
leaders summit.
The Equatorial
Guinea delegation is preparing to host an economic
forum on Friday, August
8th, aimed at providing insight on the country’s investment
opportunities. The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy has guided the
development of Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas resources from a production of
5,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in 1992 to 270,000 bopd in 2013. Minister
Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima will describe efforts to broaden economic development
at the forum.
Tomorrow,
President Obiang and the Equatorial Guinea delegation will participate in the
leaders session of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to take place at the U.S.
State Department.
While in
Washington, D.C., President Obiang joined African leaders at a welcome
reception held at the Russell Senate Office Building. He also participated in a
U.S.-Africa CEO business forum dinner.
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