Dr Ramos-Horta was joined
on the Speaker Panel by General Peter John Cosgrove, former Chief of the
Australian Defence Force and Professor Peter McMinn, Bosch Chair of Infectious
Diseases, Sydney University in the presence of The Governor of NSW, Her
Excellency Professor Marie Bashir.
During 2012-13, the Rotary
Club of Sydney will be supporting the University of Sydney’s Isin-Di’ak Fund
which has been set up with the overall objective of improving health outcomes
in Timor-Leste through the training and education of Timorese health
professionals in treating disease.
Professor Peter McMinn said
the first major project of the Fund will be to eliminate two parasitic diseases
from Timor-Leste - lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, and
intestinal worms, also known as hookworms.
“Lymphatic filariasis affects
up to 20% of the Timorese population and causes extensive swelling of limbs and
other parts of the body, is very debilitating, but can be effectively
treated. Intestinal worms affect up to
50% of children in Timor-Leste, causing anaemia and malnutrition, and are also
treatable.”
A five year program of annual
mass dosing with two anti-parasitic drugs should eliminate both diseases from
the country. The training provided to health professionals
during the five years will also ensure that these infections never recur.
Sydney Rotary Club President,
James Allen said the success of the program will make a substantial difference
to the well-being and quality of life for many Timorese people. He appealed for private and corporate
donations to meet the fundraising goal of $500,000.
***
The Rotary Club of Sydney, Tel. (02) 9279 1194 or 0407 366 140
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