Superstitions hamper ARMM’s anti-polio drive

COTABATO CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) is keen on enlisting the help of Islamic theologians to maximize its anti-polio immunization drive in areas where superstitious villagers believe that the vaccines are laced with haram (forbidden) ingredients and are meant to "christianize" them.

There are also remote areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where residents identified with rebel groups even suspect that the vaccines contain a "time-released poison" and that they are meant to "cleanse" Mindanao of Muslims.

Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, who was here the other day to gather feedback on the initial anti-polio campaign in the city, said local health authorities have the leeway to initiate "culture and religion-sensitive approaches" in educating people on the benefits of the government’s immunization program.

"All we need to do is enlist the help of the right people — the religious leaders — to help us enhance this activity," he said.

Dayrit said the Department of Health is targeting the vaccination of 12 million children nationwide until March.

The regional health secretary, Dr. Abdel Amat, himself an acknowledged Muslim religious leader, said certain groups could have developed "distrust" on the government’s immunization campaigns due to decades of strife in the South.

"There are even areas where rebels oppose the entry of health personnel with military escorts," he said.

"But we have had some experiences on how to address these constraints. We (will) tap religious leaders and initiate measures tailored-fit to our religion and traditions in educating the people on the importance of vaccinations," he added.

Amat, who hails from Basilan, said he is certain that leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in far-flung areas are willing to help the DOH’s ongoing anti-polio immunization drive.