Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – In memory of Dr Tonnelli, killed in Somalia, yesterday 5 October, we publish the e-mail message she sent to Fides Africa section on 15 June 2002.
Dear Luca,
I am not a medical doctor. I have a degree in law and a couple of certificates and diplomas in medicine. But I am an adviser of the World Health Organisation WHO in the field of control of tuberculosis. I am also a pioneer of the Global Policy launched by WHO in 1993 for the control of TB in the world called DOTS (Directly observed therapy short chemotherapy). The annual number of TB cases in 1998 was 1,500. TB is the first opportunistic disease contracted by HIV patients t in endemic zones such as Somalia. Our AIDS patients are here first of all because they have TB. While treating TB we treat all those opportunistic infections that people contract when their immune system breaks down.
Borama is in north west Somalia on the border with Ethiopia and Djibouti.
You may request photos of the hospital from the friends of the Committee for the struggle against hunger in Forli, my home town and from my brother Dr Bruno Tonelli. Here are the e-mail addresses. They will give you copes of the testimony given in the Vatican last November on the occasion of the world Day for Voluntary work.
I am deeply touched that you wish to help my people.
Their need is great. We depend entirely on the generosity of friends around the world, especially those in Forli and a group of British protestants who love us dearly.
Thank you
Annalena” LM (Fides Service 6/10/2003 EM lines 29 Words: 301)
