Clerics join hands to eradicate polio

People refuse to administer vaccines to their children in the name of religion.

PESHAWAR: Clerics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and tribal region have joined hands The National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF) for the eradication of polio from the province by the end of the year 2011.

NRDF, in collaboration with international agencies such as UNICEF and World Health Organization, is carrying a successful campaign with the support of clerics for polio eradication in 11 areas including districts Peshawar, Charsadda, Swat, Nowshera, Hangu, Kohat and tribal agencies of Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, South and North Wazirstan. The organisation is seeking help from clergymen because people in these areas refuse to administer vaccines to their children in the name of religion.

“Over 3,000 clerics are taking part in the campaign for the eradication of polio by creating awareness through their respective seminaries and mosques,” said Jamaluddin, a representative of NRDF, during a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday.

He said the foundation has held 11 conferences of religious scholars, in which 1,087 clerics participated. Religious clerics and NRDF representative have informed the public in 1,527 Friday sermons across the region that polio drops are not injurious to their health and urged parents for administering vaccines to their children. As a result, 3,850 refusal cases have been covered. The campaign is aimed to cover all children up to five years of age by the June 2011, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, former Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Qari Roohullah said that religious scholars of the country had issued Fatwa (religious decree) that the polio vaccines are not injurious to health.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2010.