Polio eradication: JUI-S asks donor agencies to condemn drone strikes

For campaigns to be successful, cultural difference should be kept in mind: Haqqani.

ISLAMABAD:

The government should train the families of religious leaders and women at seminaries on the importance of polio vaccination for their children. This could help launch a campaign from the homes of religious leaders and seminaries.

These views were expressed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq Vice President Maulana Irfanul Haq Haqqani, while addressing a briefing session on “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Anti-Polio Vaccination Programme” organised by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency on Wednesday.

Haq said seminaries are not against eradication polio from the country, adding that they could play a positive role in this regard.

“However cultural differences should be considered in Waziristan during polio vaccination campaigns by polio teams. And to reduce resistance against polio campaigns in the area, World Health Organization and United National Children’s Fund (UNICEF) should condemn US drone attacks in Wana and issue statements in media against illegal strikes,” he said.

He further suggested that a system of vaccination cards of polio should be introduced in the country so cases could be monitored properly. He reiterated his party’s commitment for eradicating polio from the country.

Meanwhile, other members of the party blamed media for promoting negative image of polio vaccination through irresponsible reporting especially during Shakeel Afridi’s incident.

UNICEF High Risk Coordinator Dr Shamsher Khan said that political parties can ensure polio is a part of their party’s manifesto and lobby for commitment from their party’s leadership for continuity during the coming election period and beyond.

He added that political parties can report cases of official lethargy, negligence and issues that affect polio campaigns. Moreover, he suggested that parties may nominate focal persons within the party leadership, to coordinate the polio campaigns.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2013.