Taiwan Funds Program To Eradicate Malaria in Sao Tome and Principe

Taiwan has funded a program aimed at eradicating malaria in the small nation of Sao Tome and Principe in an effort to "extend its experience" battling the disease to Africa, the Taipai Times reports. The program, which began on Dec. 1, 2004, includes spraying for mosquitoes and larvae in order to eliminate the disease. Shao Li-chung, deputy secretary general of Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund, said, "African countries have not succeeded in wiping out the disease," adding, "Sao Tome and Principe will be the first African country to eradicate malaria if our campaign in the country is successful." The anti-malaria effort in Sao Tome and Principe is a "testament to Taiwan's public health capabilities," according to the Times. "We will show that we have the right to join the World Health Organization and other international bodies," Shao said (Taipei Times, 1/10).