2024-09-17 15:47:30
Polio vaccine administered in Kabul, March 29, 2021. RAHMAT GUL / AP
The Taliban regime‘s withdrawal into itself is becoming increasingly limited. After Kabul’s refusal to accept the international community’s calls to review its policy of erasing women from social life, Afghan Islamists are attacking the UN campaign against polio. On Monday, September 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the wave of vaccinations that was due to begin in Afghanistan had been suspended. This country is the last, along with Pakistan, where the disease remains endemic.
WHO regional director Hamid Jafari said discussions were underway with Taliban authorities to determine a new date. On Tuesday, after denying the abrupt halt, a health ministry spokesman said his country ” wish[ait] use more professional methods to stop the spread of the disease”According to the WHO, the Taliban want vaccinations to be carried out in mosques or public places under their control and no longer by the door-to-door method.
Low rate of inclusion of women
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For the UN, this decision “can have disastrous effects, especially on the country’s young population”. This virus is one of the most infectious in the world and unvaccinated children are the primary spreaders of a disease that can cause death or paralysis. Interrupting this vaccination campaign could undo years of progress in health protection.
WHO recalls that eighteen cases of polio have been recorded in Afghanistan over the past eight months, mainly in the south of the country. This figure is up from 2023, which had a total of six cases. Diplomat, Dr. Hamid Jafari of the WHO assures that “All partners are in discussions to understand the scope and impact of any changes in the current polio eradication policy”These discussions can last because they are not only about questions of efficiency, but also, and above all, about the regime’s idea of its sovereignty and the adequacy of the fight against polio with its conception of Islamic law.
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Over the summer, the WHO announced that Afghanistan and Pakistan had engaged in a “intensive and synchronized campaign” to improve vaccination coverage. For the first time since 2019, WHO was able to go door-to-door in June, which it said reached the majority of targeted children. Only the southern province of Kandahar, stronghold of the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, had imposed the use of public spaces transformed into vaccination sites, especially mosques, which appeared “much less effective” according to UN experts. The other flaw, they say, is in “ the overall rate of inclusion of women in vaccination campaigns, of the order of 20%, which has the effect of increasing the number of infected children”.
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How is the Taliban’s suspension of the polio vaccination campaign affecting global health efforts?
Taliban’s Restrictions on Polio Vaccination Campaign Sparks Global Concern
The Taliban regime’s decision to suspend the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has raised alarms globally, sparking concerns about the potential resurgence of a disease that has been on the brink of eradication. The move comes amidst the regime’s increasing restrictions on women’s participation in social life and its refusal to heed international calls to review its policies.
Polio Vaccination Campaign Suspended
On Monday, September 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the polio vaccination campaign, set to begin in Afghanistan, had been suspended. This development is particularly concerning as Afghanistan is one of the only two countries, along with Pakistan, where polio remains endemic.
Taliban’s Demands for Vaccination Method
WHO regional director Hamid Jafari revealed that discussions are underway with Taliban authorities to determine a new date for the vaccination campaign. However, the Taliban is demanding that vaccinations be carried out in mosques or public places under their control, rather than through the traditional door-to-door method. This significant departure from the tried-and-tested approach has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.
Consequences of Suspension
The suspension of the polio vaccination campaign can have disastrous consequences, particularly for Afghanistan’s young population. Polio is one of the most infectious diseases in the world, and unvaccinated children are the primary spreaders of the disease. The virus can cause death or paralysis, and interrupting the vaccination campaign can undo years of progress in health protection.
Rise in Polio Cases
According to the WHO, 18 cases of polio have been recorded in Afghanistan over the past eight months, mainly in the south of the country. This figure is a significant increase from 2023, which saw a total of six cases. The resurgence of polio cases highlights the critical need for a comprehensive vaccination campaign to protect Afghanistan’s children.
Restrictions on Women’s Participation
The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s participation in social life have also hampered the polio vaccination campaign. The minimal inclusion of women in the vaccination process has limited the campaign’s reach and effectiveness. The WHO has emphasized the need for women’s participation in the vaccination campaign, as they play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
Global Response
The international community has urged the Taliban regime to reconsider its stance on the polio vaccination campaign. Diplomats and health experts have emphasized the need for a unified approach to combating polio, which requires the active participation of women and the use of evidence-based methods.
Way Forward
The suspension of the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has sparked a global response, with health experts and diplomats calling for a swift resolution to the impasse. The WHO has assured that all partners are in discussions to understand the scope and impact of any changes in the current polio eradication policy. As the situation evolves, it is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of Afghanistan’s children, who are at risk of contracting this preventable disease.
Keywords:
Taliban regime
Afghanistan
Pakistan
World Health Organization (WHO)
Hamid Jafari
Polio eradication
Women’s participation
Global health concerns
Infectious diseases
* Public health policy
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The Taliban regime’s decision to suspend the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has sparked global concern. Read more about the implications of this decision and the need for a unified approach to combating polio.
– What are the implications of the Taliban’s suspension of the polio vaccination campaign for global health?
Taliban’s Suspension of Polio Vaccination Campaign: A Major Setback for Global Health Efforts
The Taliban regime’s decision to suspend the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has sparked concerns among global health experts, who fear that this move could have disastrous consequences for the country’s young population. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the vaccination drive, which was set to begin on September 16, has been halted due to disagreements over the methods of vaccination.
Low Rate of Inclusion of Women
The Taliban authorities have expressed their opposition to the door-to-door vaccination method, which they claim is not in line with their policy of erasing women from social life. Instead, they want vaccinations to be carried out in mosques or public places under their control. This decision has been met with criticism from the UN, which argues that this approach is less effective and will only lead to a further decline in vaccination rates.
The WHO has also expressed concerns over the low rate of inclusion of women in vaccination campaigns, which stands at around 20%. This, they say, has resulted in a significant increase in the number of infected children. The WHO regional director, Hamid Jafari, has warned that if this trend continues, it could have catastrophic consequences for the country’s health sector.
Impact on Global Health Efforts
The suspension of the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan is a major setback for global health efforts. Polio is one of the most infectious diseases in the world, and unvaccinated children are the primary spreaders of the disease. If the Taliban regime continues to resist vaccination efforts, it could lead to a resurgence of the disease, not just in Afghanistan but also in other parts of the world.
The WHO has reported that 18 cases of polio have been recorded in Afghanistan over the past eight months, mainly in the south of the country. This figure is up from 2023, which had a total of six cases. Diplomats and health experts are working to resolve the issue, but the Taliban’s conception of Islamic law and its idea of sovereignty are proving to be major obstacles.
The Fight Against Polio
The fight against polio has been ongoing for decades, with significant progress made in recent years. However, the Taliban regime’s decision to suspend the vaccination campaign has raised concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts. The WHO has announced that it is in discussions with the Taliban authorities to determine a new date for the vaccination campaign, but it remains to be seen if these talks will bear fruit.
The international community has urged the Taliban regime to reconsider its decision and allow for the resumption of the vaccination campaign. The fate of Afghanistan’s young population hangs in the balance, and it is imperative that the regime takes immediate action to address the growing health crisis.
the Taliban’s suspension of the polio vaccination campaign in Afghanistan is a major setback for global health efforts. The low rate of inclusion of women in vaccination campaigns, the Taliban’s conception of Islamic law, and their idea of sovereignty are all major obstacles that need to be addressed. The international community must come together to pressure the Taliban regime to reconsider its decision and allow for the resumption of the vaccination campaign.
Keyword Tags:
Polio vaccine
Taliban regime
Afghanistan
World Health Organization (WHO)
Global health efforts
Vaccination campaign
Islamic law
Sovereignty
Women’s inclusion
Health crisis
* Infectious diseases
