Equatorial Guinea Donates Two Million Dollars to WHO Toward Fight Against Ebola

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo announced that his government would make a two million dollar donation to the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight Ebola. He made the announcement during the ceremony to award the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in Life Sciences, which was held for the first time in the capital city of Malabo on September 15.

During his welcoming speech, President Obiang said the grant aims to fund WHO programs to combat Ebola. He also recalled that the creation of the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in Life Sciences originated from the need to reduce the loss of life and contribute to the solution of major problems that affect public health, such as malaria, tuberculosis, diabetes, cancer, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, which have now been joined by Ebola, especially suffered in Africa.

The prize was awarded to two scientists, Professor Hossein Baharvand, from Iran, and Andre Bationo, from Burkina-Faso, and one research institution, Instituto de Medicina Tropical von Humboldt (IMT) at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia of Peru, in recognition of their efforts to improve the quality of human life.

"This award encourages us to reflect on the accountability of…politicians and scientists and civil society actors to ensure the safety of our citizens," said President Obiang in his presentation remarks. "More resources should be devoted to research. The rapid expansion of Ebola has demonstrated the precariousness of health services."

Referring to the government's partnership with companies operating in the country, he said, "The Government, in collaboration with oil companies and Sanaria has a malaria eradication program. Sanaria is working on the creation of a vaccine against this disease that may be used in 2018."

During the awards ceremony, Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, said, "We can only succeed if we contribute to stronger alliances, since modern science requires large research tools; that is precisely the reason for our presence here in Equatorial Guinea. The role of UNESCO is to stay true to the commitment to build a development model that is dedicated to the advancement of human beings. This is our vision of the Prize for Life Science Research offered by the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo."

Thomas Boni Yayi, President of Benin, praised President Obiang for his vision in creating this award, which shows a new Africa, able to solve problems and build a world of peace.

After the awards ceremony of the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize, a panel on Ebola and HIV/AIDS took place at the Conference Center of Sipopo, where attendees spoke about the importance of teaching and research to combat pandemics such as Ebola and HIV/AIDS and the role of pharmacopeia and traditional medicine in the current situation. Professor Luc Montagnier, Nobel Laureate and President of the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention, Dr. Ki Zerbo, Coordinator of the World Health Organization for Central Africa, and Serge Paul Eholie, Professor of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, of the School of Medicine of the University of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast participated in the panel.

About Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (República de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea