The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is considering revising travel advisories to include that travellers from polio-infected countries should produce proof of vaccination against polio.
This was revealed at the 13th inter-country certificate committee being held in Johannesburg, to review progress on the eradication of polio at country, regional and global levels.
The Deputy Minister of Health who attended the meeting, said: "Although this is not yet a rule of law, it is wise and safe particularly in the light of the coming 2010 FIFA World Cup."
The Deputy Minister will also allude to this during his opening address to the 2009 Health Tourism Congress at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday this week, 30 July 2009.
Dr Sefularo has been invited to outline the Department of Health's plans for travel tourism for 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Health Technical Task Team projects, led by the Department of Health, are underway with 15 Expert Work Groups currently operational. The group is focusing on various areas such as emergency medical services, communicable diseases, environmental health, port health, stadiums, and provision of primary health care and establishment of command and control points.
"There is much scope for collaboration between the medical, tourism, hospital and travel industries. We will also be exploring possible support and collaboration that can be provided by other departments," said the Deputy Minister of Health Dr Molefi Sefularo.
An estimated 300 delegates representing health and medical facilitators, hospitals and healthcare providers, dentists and doctors, government representatives are expected to attend the Congress, which has been organised in partnership with the department.
The key outcome of the Congress will be the formation of a Health Tourism Cluster. It also seeks to stimulate the inbound health tourism market in South Africa and foster greater sector co-operation and alignment. It offers an ideal platform to position South Africa, as a destination of choice for medical and cosmetic procedures.
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 079 087 2438
Issued by: Department of Health
28 July 2009
