Addis Ababa, October 24, 2002 (WIC)- The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Girma Woldegiorgis, has announced the launching of the 2002 National Polio Immunization Campaign Officially today.

Speaking at the Launching Ceremony at the Grand Palace today, President  Girma urged stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental organizations, professional associations and others to actively participate in the campaign to kick off beginning tomorrow.     

He, particularly, appealed to those who have credibility and respect in the community, especially the religious leaders, to play a major role in making immunization part of child upbringing culture.        

According to the President, each child under five will be vaccinated through house-to-house and fixed post immunization programmes.

With the implementation of the National Polio Immunization Campaign, he said, the ultimate goal was to bring about the community's ownership of the routine immunization programme with the involvement of the public.

The President also stressed the need to expand the strategies adopted to eradicate polio and to involve the community in the surveillance for other diseases.

Girma who noted that reliance on external financial and human resource assistance only will not enable the country to eradicate polio also stressed the need to complement the concerted efforts of stake holders with the country's own internal human and financial resources.

The President expressed gratitude to organizations including WHO, UNICEF, USAID and the Rotary Club which are at the forefront in supporting the campaign.