Leveraging child health: 12 more polio refusal cases surface in Mohmand

Health workers claim that residents refuse vaccination if demands for food, electricity not met.

GHALLANAI: At least 12 anti-polio vaccination refusal cases were reported in Prang Ghar tehsil, Mohmand Agency after the immunisation drive ended on September 22.

The tribesmen had earlier decided in a jirga that they would refuse the vaccinations to be administered to their children until the World Food Program (WFP) extends food for everyone in the area, basic facilities are granted and power outages stopped.

Field Supervisor Medical Officer, Dr Shabir, told The Express Tribune that it was common for people to use the vaccination campaign for demanding provision of fundamental amenities.

He claimed that many programmes in the area were providing food in the agency, particularly focusing on maternal care, through local health workers. The same local health workers were also tasked with vaccinating the children against polio. However, when the health workers went to administer the polio drops locals refused to do so until their other demands were met. “It is not our job to provide them with all facilities they need. There are designated officials responsible to do so,” Dr Shabir added.

Dr Shabir said the political administration of Mohmand had been informed about the issue and a jirga was also held trying to persuade those refusing vaccination for their children. “At least 12 refusal cases were reported after the drive,” he said.

A Prang Ghar political administration official told The Express Tribune that another jirga had been formed, which included elders from Malagori and Bocha as well. They said the jirga was successful in eliminating the refusal cases.

At the jirga, locals also expressed reservations over the distribution of food by local NGOs, including the WFP. NGOs have maintained that they have been providing items to residents transparently.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2012.