JALAABAD (SW): Authorities in eastern Nangarhar province believe cases of lapses in polio vaccination have fallen notably.
Dr. Najeebullah Kamawal, director for public health in the province, said on Thursday that some 75000 children missed vaccination drive three months ago but situation has improved notably. “This figure has fallen to only 13000”. Addressing the gathering of religious scholars in the province, he added that ragging violence in Pacher Aw Gam and Haska Mena district have left many children miss the vaccination drive this time round.
Abu Zahir Haqqani, director for Hajj and Religious Affairs, said on the occasion that religious scholars unaware about the true spirit of the religion are spreading negative thoughts among people towards the polio vaccinations. “Actually, due to the negative propaganda, statements and decrees issued by religious scholars who know nothing about the religion, the poor and illiterate masses hate polio vaccination”, he said. Haqqani mentioned that directives have been issued to religious leaders across the province to highlight the importance of polio vaccination during the Friday prayers.
Renowned religious scholar Samiullah Bukhari also spoke on the occasion. He stressed that Islam does not prohibit polio vaccination and those propagating against it have political aims behind it. “Anyone who is issuing Fitwas (religious decrees) against it, these are not academic and religious decrees but politically motivates ones, and it is not necessary to follow these decrees”, he said.
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