Two-day Global Vaccinology International Forum opens
MUSCAT -- The 8th Global Vaccinology International Forum (GVIF 2008) began here yesterday with a senior Health Ministry official affirming the Omani government's determination to give continued weightage to the country's national immunisation drive. Scientists and vaccine developers from a number of countries are attending the two-day forum at Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.
The international congress event has been jointly organised by the Canada-based Infections Control World Organisation (ICWO) and the Ministry of Health, in co-operation with the World Health Organisation (Eastern Mediterranean Region), Unicef Middle East and North Africa region, and the Executive Board of the Health Ministers' Council for the GCC states.
Delivering Health Minister Dr Ali bin Mohammed bin Moosa's message, Dr Sulaiman al Busaidy, Acting Director-General of Health Affairs, declared: "Immunisation will continue to be the topmost priority of our health services. The Expanded Immunisation Programme (EPI) launched in 1981, has achieved almost 100 per cent coverage all over the country."
Earlier, Dr Salah al Awaidy, Director of the Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control (CDSC), said the ministry's achievements in the field of childhood immunisation were a matter of great pride. "Our Expanded Programme of Immunisation has helped reduce child mortality to levels seen only in the developed world. We are constantly strengthening our immunisation programme with new vaccines and improved immunisation schedules to ensure that our children are indeed the nation's future wealth," he said.
Dr Hussein A Gezairy, Regional Director of WHO (EMRO), said in a message delivered by Dr Ezzeddin Mohsin, Director - VPI (WHO-EMRO), urged the global community to do more to ensure that all children have access to one of their basic rights the right to immunisation. "Our role is to set up efficient and sustainable systems that ensure that vaccines are regularly delivered to all children, even those who are living in the most remote and inaccessible areas. Our role is to convince politicians, particularly in the developing world, that investing in immunisation is one of the most cost-effective ways to build their country's economy and prosperity. Our role is to demonstrate to policy-makers the uncountable benefits of immunisation," he added.
Prof (Dr) Edouard Kurstak, President of ICWO, said the Global Vaccinology International Forum helped promote strategic co-operation between the medical, scientific and research communities in aiding the development of vaccines. The scientific sessions featured presentations on advances in vaccine development and immunisation. Speakers hailed from Switzerland, USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Norway, Germany, Belgium, France, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The deliberations conclude today.
By Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
