
PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service

PESHAWAR, Might 05 (IPS) – Pakistan, one in every of two polio-endemic international locations on the earth, has began staging theatrical dramas to advertise immunisation in an try to encourage mother and father who refuse to permit their youngsters to be vaccinated.
“Pakistan recorded 20 polio instances in 2022 and has detected one contaminated baby this yr. A lot of the recognized polio children haven’t been vaccinated primarily reluctance by the mother and father in opposition to oral polio vaccine,” Dr Jamshed Khan, a medical officer in Lakki Marwat district, informed IPS. This area reported the primary case in 2023.
Khan mentioned the virus was recognized in Pashto-speaking districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now the medical groups are taking a look at completely different methods to counter opposition to immunisation and inoculate all goal children to eradicate the crippling illness.
In 2022, all 20 polio instances have been reported from three districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in every of Pakistan’s 4 provinces. He mentioned most instances have been recognized on unvaccinated or partially vaccinated youngsters.
Mother and father’ hesitancy to manage vaccines to their wards is predicated on unfounded propaganda that polio drops have been a ploy utilized by Western international locations to render recipients impotent and infertile and minimize down the inhabitants of Muslims.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been attempting modern approaches to sort out the rising incidents of refusals because of misconceptions and creating demand for vaccination.
The most recent within the collection is holding theatrical occasions to cast off mother and father’ hesitancy in opposition to polio immunisation and shield the children. Theatres organised in collaboration with the VOA Deewa (Pashto) service goal to convey that vaccination was to safeguard youngsters and forestall disabilities.
“Right now, we bought a really optimistic message about vaccination. The drops administered to the youngsters have been authorized by the federal government and the World Well being Organisation, are secure for human consumption,” Farman Ali, 16, a tenth grader in Swat district.
Ali, who attended theatre in his faculty in Swat, the place viruses have been present in sewerage water, mentioned that previously he was against inoculation, however now he desires to scale up consciousness in regards to the significance of vaccination in his neighbourhood.
“Previous to Swat, we now have additionally held dramas in different districts. The affect of that’s encouraging because the mother and father who beforehand refused drops are actually keen to permit immunisation of their children,” author Noorul Bashar Naveed mentioned.
“Through the dramas, we present the folks to the viewers who had bought disabilities because of non-vaccination and prevail upon them that immunisation is critical to guard their children from preventable illnesses,” Naveed mentioned. “We aimed to advertise vaccination amongst college students and spotlight the position of lecturers as religious mother and father in mobilising college students and society normally in regards to the significance of important immunisation, together with polio, to forestall the unfold of infectious illnesses.”
Pakistan has been administering polio pictures to 35 million youngsters yearly in 4 door-to-door campaigns, however 500,000 missed the drops because of hesitancy by mother and father.
Famous actors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carry out The Journey of Hope.
These senior artists carry out the roles of lecturers, college students, vaccinators and affected children who warn the mother and father in opposition to refusals, Naveed mentioned.
Vaccination advantages youngsters, and oldsters should fulfil their spiritual and ethical obligation by vaccinating them in opposition to all preventable illnesses.
“Now we have tried our degree finest to brush apart all misconceptions and myths about vaccination and pave the way in which for easy crusing of the immunisation,” he mentioned.
The performs embrace messages from spiritual students that based on Islam, the mother and father are certain to safeguard youngsters in opposition to illnesses, Naveed added.
A Grade 9 scholar, Muhammad Qabil, mentioned that after watching the theatre, he was assured that many individuals who staunchly opposed vaccination would now go for giving drops to their children under 5 years.
“Earlier than attending the theatre, I used to be in opposition to immunisation and thought that it was a software by the Western international locations in opposition to Muslims, however that was incorrect,” he mentioned. Qabil mentioned he had heard from spiritual students that vaccination was in accordance with Islam.
Dr Rashid Khan, a toddler well being professional, mentioned that the performs with robust performances by skilled actors with highly effective dialogues, script and background music maintain the members engaged for 2 hours, throughout which the main target stays on the importance of immunisation.
Khan mentioned that Pakistan can also be coordinating with neighbouring Afghanistan, one other endemic nation, to make sure the immunisation of kids crossing the border.
Afghanistan, which reported two instances final yr, is inoculating 9 million youngsters, with lower than 1 % unimmunised because of refusals or hard-to-reach youngsters.
Polio has been nearly eradicated globally by means of a decades-long inoculation drive, however insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of out of doors interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and a few areas of Pakistan.
Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s Nationwide Emergency Operation Heart (EOC) for Polio Eradication, informed IPS mentioned many extra areas may now be reached for the reason that Taliban took over and the preventing stopped.
“Taliban are very cooperative and need to remove polio,” he mentioned.
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service