Luanda – The Vice-minister of Health, Evelize Frestas, said on Monday in Luanda that eight projects are being developed, aimed for massive distribution of invermectine to combat onchocerciasis in communities, associated with albendazol cleansing.

Official said so during a meeting with the director African Programme for onchocerciasis Control, Paul- Samson Lusamba Dikassa.

According to her, projects will be implemented in the provinces with high population density, such as localities of Bengo, Huila, Kuando Kubango, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul , Moxico and Uíge.

Evelize Frestas said that the Ministry of Health is finalizing the strategic plan to combat the neglected diseases and its implementation will be into force in 2013.

“After being approved, this document will be implemented in 2013. We will work together so as to fight against neglected tropical diseases”, said the minister.

According to her, this project will require international financial support estimated at USD 2.0 million so as to contribute to the boosting of the referred programme.

“The estimated fund will not be enough because we have few partners and we rely on your unconditional support”, she said.

Evelize Frestas said that the government accepts the challenge to include the neglected diseases and onchocerciasis, promoting programmes aimed to eradicate them until 2021, in the ambit of the sanitary programme.