Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who currently serves as the chairman of the board of Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI), yesterday revealed how she almost lost her son to typhoid disease.
Speaking at a fund-raising ceremony for typhoid conjugate vaccines in Vientiane, Laos, Okonjo-Iweala said she however lost her cousin to the disease that is predominant in developing countries.
“Typhoid fever imposes a dramatic burden on children in the poorest nations affecting countries, communities and families. This disease has long been eliminated from most industrialized nations, but it is still a serious threat in developing countries where the vast majority of deaths occur. I lost my cousin and nearly lost my son because of typhoid. This vaccine will be a lifesaver for millions of children, especially those living without access to clean water or sanitation” she said.
Source: News agencies
