Polio visit
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th of March 2005
This visit was initiated by Bill Sergeant. If short, it was very well organized by the Côte d'Ivoire Polio team led by Marie Irène Richmond Ahoua who was in training in Washington but called me on Thursday, and by the polio staff at the headquarters.
I was escorted during the visit by Guy Daipo and by Mrs. Aissata Coulibali for the main visits. The Governor elect, Laurence Kouassi, welcomed me at the airport and participated in the organization of the visit.
We met with:
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Dr. Matthieu Kamwa (representing WHO). During that meeting, we talked about the two campaigns which were cancelled due to the political situation in the country which made things very difficult from a health perspective. There were 14 cases of polio in 2004 but none so far in 2005. We also talked about other health issues - malaria, aids, tuberculosis, and measles.
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Dr. Toussouf Oomar who has been representing UNICEF in Abidjan for the last month after working in New York, Algiers and Mauritania. Dr. Oomar has already traveled throughout the country and decided where he should intervene. He is waiting for the doctors' report. The medical teams in the north of the country should be sending him a comprehensive report on the current situation (I should be getting a copy).
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I participated in immunization activities at the Williamsville maternity Hospital in Abidjan. It was very moving and the fact I spoke French really helped.
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We visited the Pasteur Institute, 50 km from Abidjan. Vicente Giay had been there a few months ago. Its financial resources are limited and the current equipment is provided by RI currently
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- We met the Health and Population Minister (and his chief of staff), Dr. Albert Mabri Toikeuse, at his home. We talked very openly about health issues in Côte d'Ivoire.
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- I attended the Rotary club of Abidjan Riviera's meeting. Two PDG were present as well as 1-3 representatives from each Rotary club in Abidjan. I talked about the role of a Board Director within our organization as well as about the needs of the upcoming NIDs (target of 5 millions children requiring 25,000 vaccinators and 9,000 Volunteers).
I was told by the team that they had some difficulties maintaining social mobilization efforts for the NIDs (probably a budget issue).
I was very happy with this visit and hope I will have the opportunity to do it again. .
Serge Gouteyron
RI Director 2004-2006 .
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2004 Serge Gouteyron.
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