Handover ceremony of Japan's humanitarian assistance in providing the diphtheria antitoxin "Kaketsuken" to South Africa
The Embassy would like to inform you that H.E. Shigeyuki Hiroki, the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Africa and the Honourable Deputy-Minister of the National Department of Health of the Republic of South Africa, Dr. Mathume Joseph Phaahla, will attend the handover ceremony for Japan’s humanitarian assistance in providing the diphtheria antitoxin ‘‘Kaketsuken’’ to South Africa on Monday 18th of May in 2015 from 10:00 to 10:30 at the National Department of Health.
The Handover Ceremony which will take place at the Bophelo Boardroom on the Podium Floor at the National Department of Health, Civitas Building, corner of Thabo Sehume and Struben Streets, Pretoria CBD from 10h00 to 10h30am on Monday, 18th May 2015.
On 22nd of March 2015, an 8 year-old boy in KwaZulu-Natal in the Republic of South Africa was confirmed to have died from diphtheria. After two more young children were diagnosed with diphtheria, the KZN Department of Health declared a diphtheria outbreak in the province. By the 11th May, nine cases in total, including suspected cases, had been reported and three of them so far have resulted in the patients’ deaths.
On 11th May 2015, in view of the potential seriousness of this situation, the National Department of Health approached the Japanese Government for urgent assistance in obtaining supplies of the diphtheria antitoxin “KAKETSUKEN”. Japan is one of only three countries in the world manufacturing diphtheria antitoxin.
In response to this urgent request, as part of its commitment to international humanitarian assistance, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare organised the immediate nationwide collection and donation of 416 vials of the freeze-dried diphtheria equine antitoxin “KAKETSUKEN” (approximate value R2m), which were transported by air under the Japanese Government’s auspices to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The diphtheria equine antitoxin is the only known treatment for diphtheria. It is effective against the toxic disease due to its action in neutralising the specific diphtheria toxin and ending its toxicity, therefore, the earliest administration of this product increases its effectiveness. Because there are a relatively small number of diphtheria cases reported worldwide and demand is minimal, national stockpiles around the world of this antitoxin diphtheria are very limited.
Members of the press who wish to attend this event are requested to register by 5 pm on the 15th of May.
For further information, please contact:
the Information and Cultural Section (info@pr.mofa.go.jp) of the Embassy of Japan in Pretoria
Tel: (+27) 12 452 1500
Fax: (+27) 12 460 1631
Or
Popo Maja
Head of Communications
National Department of Health
Cell: 072 585 3219/082 373 1169
