Bioko Island Malaria Control Project extended; already achieved 50 percent
reduction of malaria parasites in highest risk population
HOUSTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marathon Oil Corporation
(NYSE: MRO) announced today that the Government of Equatorial Guinea,
Marathon, Noble Energy (NYSE: NBL), GEPetrol and SONAGAS, are extending
their successful Bioko Island Malaria Control Project (BIMCP) in Equatorial
Guinea. The innovative private-public partnership has committed to
investing an additional $28 million to continue its malaria control
initiative through 2013.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051027/DATH029LOGO )
One-third of the project funds will be a direct investment by the
Government of Equatorial Guinea, and the remaining two-thirds has been
committed by Marathon, Noble Energy and business partners.
The announced extension project brings total spending on malaria
control in Equatorial Guinea to $71 million. The BIMCP began in 2003 as a
five-year, $15.8-million initiative to address the burden of disease
attributable to malaria on the population of Bioko Island. The project has
focused on vector control through indoor residual spraying, distribution of
free drugs to high risk populations such as pregnant women and children
under the age of 15, and a comprehensive monitoring and surveillance
program; universal bed net coverage was added in 2007. In 2006, the BIMCP
was expanded to the mainland of Equatorial Guinea through a multi-year
commitment by the Global Fund totaling $26 million and an additional
Marathon Foundation grant of $1 million, making this program the only
integrated malaria control project with nationwide coverage in Africa.
"The Bioko Island Malaria Control Project demonstrates Marathon's
commitment to the communities where we operate and where we live," said
Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr., Marathon president and CEO. "Our support for
extending and scaling up this initiative for another five years reflects
our dedication to improving the wellbeing of the citizens of Equatorial
Guinea. We commend the Government of Equatorial Guinea for encouraging the
creation of this successful private-public partnership that provides social
benefits and makes a significant difference in the lives of
Equatoguineans."
The extension of this initiative through 2013 is aimed at leveraging
already documented project success and accelerating the attainment of
project goals. The effort will remain focused on capacity building of the
national team to achieve long-term sustainability.
"By bringing together an integrated team of companies from the private
sector, leading health specialists, and Equatorial Guinea's Ministry of
Health and Social Wellbeing, we have created a successful partnership and a
malaria intervention model for the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa," said His
Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo President of the Republic of Equatorial
Guinea. "We have responded to the call to action presented by United
Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon by extending our malaria control
program for an additional five years. I hope my country's commitment will
inspire others to commit to the fight against malaria so one day Africa
will be malaria free."
As the BIMCP enters its fifth year in 2008, it has already achieved
life saving results (based on annual household surveys):
-- 50 percent reduction in the number of children aged 2 to 15 infected
with malaria parasites,
-- 85 percent reduction in reported malaria cases in government health
facilities,
-- 95 percent reduction in the number of mosquitoes infected with the
malaria parasite based on specimens collected from window traps, and
-- 73 percent of children aged 2 to 15 reported sleeping under an
insecticide treated bed net the night before the surveys, exceeding the
Abuja Declaration targets.
The $28 million co-investment will jump-start a capital campaign
orchestrated by the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria,
Malaria No More and the UN Foundation which leverages the leadership of the
world's most prominent business leaders to raise $100 million by the end of
2010.
"Thanks to Marathon Oil Corporation's commitment, malaria is in retreat
in Equatorial Guinea," said Global Business Coalition Chairman Sir Mark
Moody-Stuart. "They already have nearly wiped out the disease on Bioko
Island. This co-investment will produce an even deeper, closer and better
financed partnership. There's every reason to believe this will keep people
more healthy throughout the entire country. I hope governments around the
world are paying attention. Business is ready to be your partner in this
fight. We know this works."
According to estimates from international organizations, prior to the
BIMCP, malaria accounted for approximately 40 percent of all deaths among
children under the age of 5 and a comparable high percentage of all
illnesses on Bioko Island. Marathon and its partners consulted global
public health experts, who concluded that a dramatic reduction in malaria
transmission would significantly improve the health status of the
population and reduce the heavy economic burden associated with the
disease, thus contributing to economic development in the country.
In an effort to build the strong institutional configuration necessary
to assure the success of such a complex undertaking, Marathon, Noble Energy
and business partners teamed up with the Government of Equatorial Guinea
through the Ministry of Health and Social Wellbeing to select an
implementation team that now includes leading health specialists from
Medical Care Development International (MCDI), One World Development Group,
the Medical Research Council of South Africa, the Harvard School of Public
Health, Yale University, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine,
Texas A&M University, and local and international chapters of the Red
Cross.
GEPetrol was established in 2001 as the National Oil Company of
Equatorial Guinea. GEPetrol has upstream interests through participation in
petroleum contracts with foreign oil companies, including the Alba field,
but the LNG project is the company's first venture into the downstream
business. GEPetrol operates as a commercial entity alongside the Ministry
of Mines, Industry and Energy, which is the State regulatory authority.
Sociedad Nacional de Gas de Guinea Ecuatorial (SONAGAS, G.E) is the
state-owned natural gas company responsible for all gas related projects in
Equatorial Guinea.
Noble Energy is a leading independent energy company engaged in
worldwide oil and gas exploration and production. The Company operates
primarily in the Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, and deepwater Gulf of
Mexico areas in the United States, with key international operations
offshore Israel, UK and West Africa.
Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in
exploration and production; oil sands mining; integrated gas; and refining,
marketing and transportation operations. Marathon has principal operations
in the United States, Angola, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Indonesia,
Ireland, Libya, Norway and the United Kingdom. Marathon is the fourth
largest United States-based integrated oil company and the nation's fifth
largest refiner.
Media Relations Contacts: Lee Warren 713-296-4103
Paul Weeditz 713-296-3910
Investor Relations Contacts: Howard Thill 713-296-4140
Chris Phillips 713-296-3213
Michol Ecklund 713-296-3919
SOURCE Marathon Oil Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.marathon.com
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PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Media: Lee Warren, +1-713-296-4103, or Paul
Weeditz, +1-713-296-3910; or Investor: Howard Thill,
+1-713-296-4140, or Chris Phillips, +1-713-296-3213, or Michol
Ecklund, +1-713-296-3919, all for Marathon Oil Corporation
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