Major Polio Vaccination Campaign Underway in Ghazni Province
In an extensive effort to eradicate polio, a vaccination campaign targeting children under five is unfolding in Afghanistan's Ghazni province.
Jordan Taylor
- 2023-12-30
- Updated 08:14 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The campaign, spearheaded by local health authorities and backed by the Taliban government, has seen a substantial increase in vaccine compliance among families in the region. Veteran campaigner Mohammad Nasim Karimi and his team have worked tirelessly over the past five years, contributing to this improved public response. The involvement of awareness teams has played a pivotal role, enlightening the population about the vaccine's importance and addressing previous refusals grounded in unawareness. Health workers like Haftia Mohammadi are also crucial participants, administering vaccines within Ghazni city itself.
Collaborative Efforts for Public Health
Achieving widespread immunization has been a collective endeavor. Religious leaders, tribal elders, and local families have been integral to the effort, urging community cooperation. Additionally, polio representatives are actively providing daily education to mothers in hospitals. These strategies have substantially mitigated past challenges, such as vaccinators' limited reach to certain areas. The recent vaccination drive follows the WHO's expression of concern regarding an uptick in polio cases, especially among young children returning from Pakistan. Over 8.8 million children are the target demographic for the ongoing campaign.
Significant Milestones and Leadership Support
The proactive approach has garnered the backing of Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Waziri, Deputy Director of Public Health for Ghazni, who is satisfied with the campaign's advancements. Public awareness teams, encompassing religious scholars and tribal leaders, have been formed to propel the campaign, which aligns with the Ministry of Public Health's strategic plans. Notably, the number of female vaccinators has reached 219, with an additional 35 women involved in raising awareness around polio immunization—a significant inclusion given the local cultural context.
The campaign's success story resonates through the active participation of health communicators, tribal leaders, health councils, and religious scholars. Together, they emphasize the critical notion that polio—a deadly viral disease causing paralysis or death—is irreversible once contracted, but entirely preventable through vaccination. This collaborative model in Ghazni sets a precedent for potential replication in similar immunization initiatives worldwide.
