SCI Team Honoured by the Ministry of Health in Burkina Faso
On April 12th 2007 in Tenkodogu, the Minister of Health of Burkina Faso,
the Hon. Alain Yoda, recognized the contribution made by the SCI team to
the health of the Burkinabe people. In particular he cited the
assistance that everyone had given with implementation of the
schistosomiasis and intestinal helminth control programme, and the
encouragement towards establishment of integrated control of Neglected
Tropical Diseases at a national level. In the presence of the Governor
of the Province, and over 2,000 dignitaries and guests he conferred the
title of Chevalier of the Ordre National and presented the Chevalier
medal and ribbon to Professor Alan Fenwick, Mr Howard Thompson, Dr Albis Gabrielli, Dr Bertrand Sellin and Mme Elisabeth Sellin.
In his
acceptance speech on behalf of the team, Professor Fenwick acknowledged the contribution of the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation to SCI and to the Burkina Faso Programme. He thanked the
Minister for the honour bestowed upon the SCI staff, and paid tribute to
the dedication and hard work of the Burkina Faso team led by Dr Seydou
Touré. He stressed that control of Neglected Tropical Diseases is in the
hands of the Burkina Faso Ministry of Health, but that SCI are ready to
assist in any way requested. The American people, through USAID, have
recently agreed to support integrated control of NTDs in Burkina Faso
with funding for a five year programme. |
