The second polio vaccination campaign of the year 2024 was launched yesterday and will run until July 12th. The campaign aims to reach approximately 12,851,149 children under the age of 15 across the country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. It primarily affects children under the age of 5 and can lead to paralysis or even death. Vaccination is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus and eliminating the disease.
The vaccination campaign, organized by health authorities in collaboration with WHO and other partner organizations, aims to ensure that every child is protected against polio. The initiative involves healthcare workers going door-to-door to administer the oral polio vaccine to children.
These nationwide campaigns play a vital role in maintaining the polio-free status that the country has achieved. Vaccination efforts have significantly reduced the number of polio cases globally, with only a few countries still reporting cases.
Dr. Maria Gonzalez, the representative of WHO in the country, emphasized the importance of this vaccination campaign. She stated, “Immunization remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of polio. The oral polio vaccine is safe, affordable, and easy to administer, making it an ideal tool for preventing polio outbreaks.”
Ensuring high coverage is crucial for the success of the campaign. Health officials have urged parents and caregivers to actively participate and bring their children for vaccination. They have emphasized that even children who have already been vaccinated should receive the additional dose to strengthen their immunity against polio.
In addition to immunization efforts, the campaign also includes awareness programs to educate the public about the importance of vaccination and dispel any misconceptions. This is essential to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure widespread acceptance of the vaccine.
The government has invested significant resources in procuring and distributing vaccines to support vaccination campaigns. As part of this initiative, additional vaccines and supplies have been provided to healthcare facilities across the country to meet the increased demand during the campaign period.
The success of previous vaccination campaigns has shown that concerted efforts and collaboration among different organizations can effectively combat polio. The government, health authorities, and partner organizations are committed to achieving and maintaining a polio-free status.
Polio eradication is a global health priority, and countries around the world have been striving to eliminate polio entirely. The WHO and its partners continue to work tirelessly to ensure access to vaccines, strengthen surveillance systems, and reach every child with lifesaving vaccines.
As the second polio vaccination campaign of the year 2024 kicks off, the focus remains on protecting children and ensuring that polio does not make a comeback. Through the collective efforts of healthcare workers, parents, and stakeholders, it is hoped that polio will soon be eradicated globally.
ODOF
The Ministry of Industrialization and Trade of Madagascar and the South African company Us Okes Pty Ltd signed a framework partnership agreement on the One District One Factory (ODOF) project on July 8. The beneficiaries of the ODOF units have also signed a responsibility charter. The partnership focuses on the maintenance and upkeep of the ODOF industrial units. In this context, Us Okes Pty Ltd will bring its expertise to ensure the optimal and sustainable operation of the ODOF industrial units. The marketing of ODOF products is also at the heart of this partnership, with the planned establishment of a purchasing and distribution center in Antananarivo, providing Malagasy consumers with direct access to products from ODOF industrial units and facilitating exports. Furthermore, by signing the responsibility charter, the beneficiaries of the ODOF units have committed to respecting quality standards, using local raw materials from cooperatives, and obtaining the necessary authorizations for product marketing. This charter guarantees the commitment of the beneficiaries to the sustainability of the industrial units. It should be noted that the ODOF program aims to provide each district in Madagascar with an industrial unit dedicated to local processing, thus meeting the needs of the population. This program aims to stimulate economic growth, create local employment, and enhance local resources. To date, over 57 industrial units have been deployed.
Date: 09/07/2024 06:00
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
According to the results of the study on the impacts of private sector activities on children’s rights, presented yesterday by UNICEF Madagascar, approximately 40% of the interviewed companies do not have a structured CSR approach. More than half of them (+60%) claim to support community social projects, and 30.43% allocate an annual budget that is committed according to the requests. It should be noted that resource allocation strategies vary according to two typical company profiles. Companies with a strong societal impact prioritize projects in their areas of intervention, while commercial enterprises target projects with a strong impact on their image and reputation. For the majority of interviewed companies (60%), a budget ranging from $2,645 to $44,076 is allocated to CSR actions. The majority of these companies prioritize the environment (87.04%) over local and community development (85.19%) and labor relations and conditions (83.33%).
Date: 09/07/2024 07:00
PRODUIR
As part of the dredging and rehabilitation works of canal C3, the Integrated Urban Development and Resilience Project for Greater Antananarivo (PRODUIR) plans to build a sludge pre-treatment site in Anosibe. According to the explanations, a plant for pressing and dehydrating the sludge will be installed on this site, spread over an area of 7,000 m2 and complying with environmental standards and regulations. According to projections, no less than 600 m3 of sludge are expected to be treated there daily.
Date: 09/07/2024 08:00
BEPC RESULTS
42 school districts have so far published the results of the BEPC exam. Among them, the Cisco of Manja stands out, with a pass rate close to 100%. In this school district, indeed, 97.13% of the candidates were admitted. The lowest admission rate, barely 38.87%, is currently recorded in the Cisco of Mitsinjo.
Date: 09/07/2024 09:00
HYBRID RICE
Exchange Letters on the Project for Assistance and Cooperation for the development of Hybrid Rice technology in Madagascar were signed yesterday, July 8, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Anosy by Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata and Chinese Ambassador Ji Ping. The Malagasy State, in its General Policy, aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production. In this context, it plans to develop new rice farming areas and promote hybrid rice, which has shown promising results both in terms of yield and climate adaptability. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE), a yield of 8 to 12 tons per hectare has been observed in the Atsimo Andrefana region. It should be noted that the STOI Group (Indian Ocean Trading Company), one of the main actors in hybrid rice production, is already present in eight regions of Madagascar. On the occasion of yesterday’s ceremony, the Ambassador of China confirmed that they will work with Madagascar to achieve food self-sufficiency. Priority will be given to regions involved in rice production and the MINAE will receive the support of STOI, he stated.
Date: 09/07/2024 10:00
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN ANTANANARIVO
Rinah Rakotomanga announces her intention to run for the upcoming municipal elections in Antananarivo renivohitra. She affirms that her project for the city has been carefully considered for nearly 14 years. “This requires a lot of courage, full of will, there is also the obligation of means. But it would only be done with you,” she declares in particular. Rinah Rakotomanga’s project for Antananarivo involves 10 commandments for a harmonious city. She aims to provide a better living environment for the people of Antananarivo in a harmonized, secure, and greatly improved environment. Among the most urgent actions to be taken, she has identified the restoration of urban hygiene, the implementation of a Marshal plan to ensure the security of property and individuals, as well as the establishment of urban security.
Date: 09/07/2024 11:00
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The special session of the National Assembly marking the inauguration of the new Deputies of Madagascar begins this Tuesday, July 9. The agenda of this session includes the establishment of the permanent Bureau and the various Commissions. The dean and the youngest of the Deputies, namely Modeste Rakotorahalahy, Deputy of Mandoto, and O’Gascar Fenosoa Mandrindrarivony, Deputy of the 3rd district of Antananarivo, led the opening ceremony held in the morning at Tsimbazaza. It should be noted that an update of the internal rules of the National Assembly will precede the election of members of the permanent Bureau of this institution. To do this, an ad hoc committee will meet this Tuesday afternoon to review the internal rules of the Lower House.
Date: 09/07/2024 12:00
VANILLA INDUSTRY
The marketing campaign for green vanilla for the 2024 harvest season will open tomorrow, July 10, for the coastal area of the Analanjirofo Region, starting on July 24 for the intermediate zone, and on July 27 for the high altitude zone. Any marketing of green vanilla before these dates is strictly prohibited. However, in the case of early maturity of the vanilla, the planter is required to contact the Chief of Fokontany to obtain authorization to proceed with the picking and preparation of the harvest. It should be noted that the opening date for the marketing campaign of prepared vanilla will occur 90 days or three months after the respective opening date of the green vanilla campaign in each zone.
Date: 09/07/2024 14:00
HEAVY FUEL-OIL-JIRAMA
The rotating power outage is still in effect on the interconnected grid of Antananarivo this Tuesday, July 9. Jirama indicates that the ship carrying heavy fuel oil, supplying the thermal power plants of the Interconnected Grid of Antananarivo, is expected to arrive tomorrow, July 10, in Toamasina. “The hierarchical authorities are working tirelessly to prepare the shipment and the various inevitable steps before the use of heavy fuel oil,” it indicates.
Date: 09/07/2024 15:00
RAPHIA FROM MADAGASCAR-FENDI
For its Fendi Summer 2024 collection, the Italian brand Fendi reinvents the “Roll bag” with Made For Woman in Madagascar. “Each bag is crocheted with local Raphia in two shades to form the iconic FF pattern of the house. It is then finished in Italy, where artisans hand-sew leather handles adorned with Selleria stitching,” explained a spokesperson. The latest creation of the “Hand in Hand” model from Fendi is also made in collaboration with Made for A Woman in Madagascar. “This Baguette, developed by Made For A Woman and Fendi artisans, reinterprets traditional Malagasy designs into a complex pattern of different sutures, using locally sourced Raphia, embellished with exquisite charnelian beads,” it is stated.
Date: 09/07/2024 16:00
DEPUTIES-NATIONAL POLICE
The newly elected deputies include three policemen, namely Nakany Charly Zafimagnely, elected in Beroroha, Fiherezavinany aka Mena, elected in Morafenobe, and Roméo Christophe Ramanatanana, elected in Soavinandriana-Itasy. They received the blessings of the Minister of Public Security, Chief Police Officer Herilala Rakotoarimanana. According to the latter, the election of these three deputies proves that the police maintain a real proximity with the population.
Date: 09/07/2024 17:00
MAPS
The Malagasy Government, with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has committed to evaluating the public procurement system through the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems or MAPS. This MAPS evaluation is part of the implementation of reforms initiated by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and within the framework of the MAPS II roadmap. In this sense, a MAPS mission is currently in the country. This mission will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the national public procurement system to improve its efficiency and effectiveness while strengthening its integrity and transparency in the use of public funds. It should lead to MAPS certification for Madagascar. The launch of this mission will be followed by a series of training sessions conducted by the international MAPS consultant for stakeholders.
Date: 09/07/2024 18:00
