Equatorial Guinea Sponsors Nursing Program to Advance Public Health

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Equatorial Guinea's (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) efforts to improve public health throughout the country, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is sponsoring a two-year nursing assistant course to improve health issues in collaboration with the Spanish Cooperation and the Cuban Brigade.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Maria de la Vida Asue Ndong, invited participants to engage in this effort to improve health in the country, a key aspect of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's health sector project, Horizon 2020: "Health for All."

The project was launched at the Spanish Cultural Center in Malabo, and was supported by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Ambassador of Spain, Manuel Gomez-Acebo Rodriguez-Spiteri, the Minister of Social Affairs, Maria Leonor Epam Biribe, Representatives from Civil Service, Minister of Education, and the Foundation for the Development of Nursing (FUDEB), among others.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is also leading the efforts for development projects, such as construction of Hospital Maternal -- a new maternity center. Equatorial Guinea continues to make investments in the country through use of funds related to its natural resources. The health infrastructure has some 300 clinics and several hospitals managed by Social Security or INSESO, which covers half of the medical expenses of the policyholders.

The new hospital complex in Bata, La Paz Medical Center, opened in May 2007. It is one of the most sophisticated and advanced hospitals in West Africa. Its advanced technology and highly qualified personnel that meet the highest standards in the matter is destined to become a destination for health care throughout the region. The hospital is able to serve over 100,000 people and is considered to be one of the most advanced in Africa.

About Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica 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 reserves, which only within the last five years began contributing significantly to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now investing in its people and economy, and working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in West Central Africa. The country will host the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. More information is available at the United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea