A medical practitioner, Dr Okai Aku, on Monday, says continuous advocacy at all levels in government
is paramount to surmounting the problems of negative cultural and religious beliefs against polio vaccination.
Aku, who is with Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said this in
an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said that polio vaccination had no harmful effect on the reproductive system of children as alleged by some cultural adherents.
He noted that some parents boycotted the vaccination because of some religious and cultural beliefs that it was
harmful to the reproductive health of the child.
He urged medical stakeholders and the federal and state ministries of health to improve strategies on reorientation and awareness
aimed at changing the narrative.
He said “advocacy is the only way forward in reorienting some persons who hold negative beliefs against polio vaccination.
“It is not true that the polio vaccine causes impotency as peddled by some people, it is not harmful to the child at all.”
Aku called for total commitment to the health of the child, saying that vaccination was imperative in guaranteeing healthy future.
The medical practitioner explained that polio vaccination was necessary for the child, irrespective of religion, culture and class, especially in Nigeria.
According to him, children are the future; therefore, every necessary effort must be done to keep them healthy and strong.
He reiterated the call for national advocacy, calling for all hands to be on deck in kicking polio out of the country.
Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country.
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