Bombing near girls’ school in Mastung district, Pakistan
“The police who were protecting the polio vaccination were targeted.”
At least 9 people died and 23 were injured… “Targeting children is cruel”
A bomb attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Pakistan killed at least nine people, including five students, and injured 23.
According to Al Jazeera on the 1st (local time), Pakistani police announced that an explosion occurred near a girls’ school in Mastung, southwestern Balochistan, causing such damage.
A police official said the incident was a ‘bomb attack’ targeting police officers protecting polio vaccination activities.
The terrorists are believed to have committed the crime by attaching an improvised explosive device to a motorcycle parked near the school.
It was found that a total of 9 people, including 5 students, 1 police officer, and passers-by, were killed and 23 injured in this attack.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned, “Targeting children is an atrocious act.”
However, Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan believes Islamic extremists from neighboring Afghanistan are behind this incident.
Polio is mainly caused by the virus spreading through wastewater, and is a disease that has largely disappeared due to the global vaccination campaign.
However, some Islamic extremists in Pakistan and Afghanistan have refused to vaccinate their children, claiming that Western countries are carrying out polio vaccinations on a large scale to make their children infertile.
Accordingly, only two countries in the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan, still have polio as an endemic disease.
In fact, in Pakistan, medical staff and facilities that carry out polio vaccinations have been the targets of attacks by Islamist armed organizations.
It is said that such terrorist attacks have occurred three times this year alone, including today.
Previously, on the 29th of last month, a police officer was killed in an attack on a public health center conducting polio vaccinations.
In addition, bombings targeting police officers trying to protect a polio vaccination team occurred in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, on January 8, and on the outskirts of Quetta, Pakistan, on November 30, 2022, resulting in 19 and 31 casualties, respectively. did it
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Polio Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a serious topic to discuss with Dr. Amina Hussain, a global health expert focusing on vaccination initiatives. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Hussain.
Dr. Amina Hussain: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here, though I wish the circumstances were different.
Editor: Indeed, the recent bombing near a girls’ school in the Mastung district of Pakistan is both tragic and alarming. Can you provide insight into how attacks like this affect vaccination efforts, especially in regions already struggling with polio?
Dr. Hussain: Absolutely. Such attacks not only result in immediate loss of life and injury but also instill fear in both health workers and the communities they serve. In regions like Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic, these threats can severely hinder vaccination campaigns. Health workers become reluctant to carry out their duties, and families may refuse vaccination due to the perception of danger.
Editor: The attack specifically targeted police officers protecting a polio vaccination team. Why do you think such teams are under constant threat from extremist groups?
Dr. Hussain: Unfortunately, there is a significant misinformation campaign fueled by some extremist groups that portrays vaccinations as a Western ploy to harm local populations. These groups often view healthcare initiatives, particularly those related to childhood vaccinations, as threats to their ideologies. The targeting of police who protect these initiatives reflects their intent to intimidate the state and disrupt public health efforts.
Editor: The Prime Minister condemned the targeting of children as “atrocious.” How critical are community perceptions and governmental support in overcoming opposition to vaccination?
Dr. Hussain: Community perception is crucial. Programs need to engage local leaders and religious figures who can advocate for vaccination, dispelling myths about its dangers. Government support is equally important; a united front can help reassure communities about the safety and necessity of vaccines. Furthermore, it sends a strong message that such violence will not be tolerated, fostering an environment where healthcare workers can operate safely.
Editor: We’ve seen improvements in polio eradication due to global vaccination campaigns, yet Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two countries with endemic polio. What lessons can be drawn from the progress made in other nations that successfully eradicated the disease?
Dr. Hussain: One key lesson is the importance of consistent, culturally sensitive communication. Countries that have successfully eliminated polio have used targeted messaging that resonates with the local population’s beliefs and practices. Additionally, strong surveillance systems to track polio cases are essential, along with sustained efforts to address any misinformation. Economic investment in healthcare infrastructure is equally vital, ensuring that vaccination teams can operate without fear and that resources are available in remote areas.
Editor: The persistent violence against healthcare workers echoes broader societal issues. How might resolving these security challenges pave the way for improved health outcomes?
Dr. Hussain: Addressing security challenges is fundamental to restoring trust in public health initiatives. When healthcare workers can operate without fear of violence, they can reach more children and ultimately increase immunization rates. A secure environment encourages families to participate in vaccination programs, reducing the health risks for their children. Moreover, improving security can contribute to broader stability in the region, allowing for sustained health improvements and economic growth.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Hussain, for shedding light on these complex issues. It’s clear that the journey toward eliminating polio and improving health security in impacted regions is multifaceted and requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society.
Dr. Hussain: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness about these issues and advocate for the safety of healthcare workers everywhere.
Editor: We appreciate your insights today. Thank you to our audience for joining us in this critical discussion. Let’s continue to support efforts for health and safety in every community.