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U.S. Government Supports Rwanda’s Measles Integrated Campaign

October 6, 2009
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the United States Embassy in Kigali Anne Casper reaffirmed U.S. commitment to reducing child mortality in Rwanda through the prevention of measles and other deadly childhood illnesses.  Ms. Casper joined First Lady Jeanette Kagame, Minister of Health Richard Sezibera, other dignitaries, and over a thousand parents and their babies in Bugesera District of Eastern Province who came to participate in the opening ceremony of the Rwandan government’s Measles Integrated Campaign.
First Lady Jeanette Kagame officiated at the launch and called upon all Rwandans to participate in the national immunization program.  Ms. Casper affirmed the campaign’s key message that many childhood diseases, such as measles and polio, are preventable if parents immunize their children.  This campaign provides free vaccinations for measles and polio to children under five years old as well as Vitamin A capsules to boost immune systems and mebendazol to fight parasitic infections.
The U. S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided the “cold chain” for the preservation of the vaccines and vehicles to transport vaccinators, de-worming medications, and other assistance. 
The World Health Organization Country Representative Jack Abdoulie and delegates from various health partners such as the Columbia University Access Project, USAID, UNICEF and TDA also attended the ceremony.

From left to right: the Governor of the Eastern province Ephraim Kabayija; First Lady Jeanette Kagame; The Health Minister Richard Sezibera and Mayor of Bugesera District Julius Rukundo	First Lady Jeanette Kagame greeting U.S. Chargé d'Affaire Anne Casper
First Lady Jeannette Kagame providing a dose of Vitamin A to a child	Chargé d'Affaire Anne Casper providing a dose of mebendazol to a chirld