A global immunization campaign to save the lives of 2-3 million children a year in the developing world will be launched next year as the result of a 4 billion US dollar (24,6 milliarder DKR) a year vaccination project backed by Britain, France and Bill Gates, the multibillionaire founder of Microsoft, according to the World Bank press review Monday.
Government-backed bonds will be floated on financial markets to fund a mass immunization program designed to tackle easily preventable diseases. Treasury sources said the proposal is at an advanced stage and will be unveiled in the first half of 2005, when Britain intends to make Africa the focal point of its presidency of the G8 industrial countries.
UK treasury officials said to The Guardian that the chancellor had discussed the project with Gates, who has pledged part of his personal fortune to the immunization campaign. The British and French governments, with the World Bank, Gavi and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are now working out the final details.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
