Nigeria postpones programme of polio immunisation
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7451.1278-c (Published 27 May 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:1278
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Nigeria, Africa's most populous contry's, plight is well exemplified
from its handling of the pulse polio immunization.(1) Unfortunately, this
is the sad state of affairs in most of the third world and Africa in
particular.
Religious fundamentalism has always ensured that peace and
development take a back seat. Correspondingly the state of health in
Africa only evokes sympathy. The world seems to be trying. But without
support from the local people{infact false propaganda and active
opposition}, achieving anything is but only a dream.
Achieving WHO's health for all seems very unlikely at least in the
near imaginable future. I compared Nigeria's population growth with that
of the US. Nigeria has grown at the rate of 2.83% in the last decade.
Ofcourse, the US doesnt stand a chance with that kind of a figure. But
then, what kind of an infertility factor are the so called
religiopolitical leaders talking about?
I think it is time we ask these 'leaders' to grow out of their narrow
political and personal jingoistic agenda's. Unfortunately this can only
come when the population understands the situation and questions them.
Will the pioneers of the anti-polio movement take responsibility for all
new cases of polio that crop up due to the delay, apologize to them, and
provide them with all the help and support that is needed? Do they have
the will?
Leave political agendas to the politicians, courts and parliaments.
Let not people suffer.
Reference:
1. Raufu A. Nigeria postpones programme of Polio Immunization. BMJ
2004;328:1278
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Oral polio vaccination and infertility: wider implications!
Sir:
I have read all the three news items including Pfizer scandal in
Nigeria and felt extremely disgusted about the trial of travafloxacin in
Nigerian children with meningitis, many of whom died or developed
permanent brain damage, mental and physical disabilities. Their grieved
parents have fundamental rights to take their case to US courts of justice
when their genuine demands were unheard by the local Nigerian courts. What
a pathetic and slumbering judiciary in Nigeria.
I suppose very strongly that Nigerian Sharia fundamentalists may be
correctly perceiving the dangers of contaminating oral polio vaccines with
HCG hormone to be given to Nigerian children who will develop antibodies
to HCG and results in infertility that would be obvious once they grow and
get married. Infertility has a devastating psychological, social and
economic effect on the couple without children.
Finally, if this declassified US information is correct as projected
by a qualified Nigerian doctor, such nonsensical US hidden policy (ies) of
highest discrimination against and selective destruction of one race
implying Muslim must not be tolerated and must be condemned vehemently by
international medical and nonmedical communities. Moreover, carrying out
of such policies practically by WHO is of further greater concern to all
of us, because today muslims and tomorrow may be Hindus, Buddhists and
others will be targeted, that how USA is manipulating this highest health
body for destroying the whole race or races.
Refrences:
Abiodun Raufu. Polio vaccine plans may run into problems in Nigeria.
BMJ 2003 327: 380-0.
Abiodun Raufu. Nigeria postpones programme of polio immunisation. BMJ
2004 328: 1278-0
Competing interests:
All are equal in the eyes of creator.
Competing interests: No competing interests