Equatorial Guinea Strengthening Health Services

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial, along with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is working to strengthen and equip health facilities throughout the country to boost access to reproductive health services. The rebuilding process includes the construction and renovation of health centers and maternity units as well as proper training for medical students.

"As part of our partnerships with the international community, we are sending our medical students to countries like Mali to study obstetrics, and to other countries, like Germany, Spain and Cuba to receive advanced medical training," Francisco-Pascual Obama Asue, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Health and Social Welfare said in an interview.

A video of Minister Obama Asue's interview.

This exchange program was set up to address the rising concern of fistula and cervical cancer. To further address the issue, a campaign was launched by the First Lady to encourage women to receive proper care and early screening for cervical cancer. The campaign was immensely successful and led to the surgical intervention of fistula cases. Because of this, informational tools on fistula are now integrated into the minimum health care package.

"Today, we are just starting to develop our medical training and capacity, but we are working every day to build up our resources and improve our skills. I think that by 2020, Equatorial Guinea will not be completely rid of all its obstacles, but my hope as Minister of Health is that we have medical facilities and conditions that meet the needs of our people and to have acceptable health centers and sanitary conditions," Minister Francisco-Pasual Obama Asue said.

Equatorial Guinea is committed to the health and well being of its people and continues to make significant investments to ensure critical health issues are addressed.

"Ultimately, our goal is to provide access to health care for all, fully funded by our government."

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