Polio vaccine: Imam-e-Kaaba to allay fears, says president

Imam-e-Kaaba is invited to Pakistan to address misconceptions about the polio vaccine.

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain reiterated the need for strong and vigilant oversight at all levels of the anti-polio drive across the country, especially FATA, while speaking at a meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday to reassess the vaccination drive.

He said the Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Abdur Rehman As-Sudais is being invited to Pakistan as part of the government’s efforts to address misconceptions about the polio vaccine.

Additionally, he said a number of renowned Islamic scholars have given fatwas in favour of the vaccine.

The local population, particularly imams, ulema and tribal elders, must be engaged in the fight against the disease, he said.

Minister of States for National Health Services Regulations Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar, WHO Representative to Pakistan Dr. Nima Saeed Abid, WHO Country Polio Team Leader Dr Elias Durry and UNESCO Country Polio Team Leader Per Engebak were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2014.