Polio Campaign and Role of Media
The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) discussed the recent false news about the polio vaccine and the hype created by media for. The show also highlighted the initiatives on part of the provincial government.
The guest invited, Dr. Akram Shah, noted that Polio virus had been long eradicated in all the countries except for Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Till the recent years, a number of victims of this disease dropped to just six due to consistent efforts over the last three decades. However, a recent incident in Peshawar has marred all such efforts and posed hurdles in this campaign. He elaborated that some of the vested interest groups has spread a systematic rumor about the adverse health impact of polio drops over some school children.
Although mainstream media stood by the authorities and declared it propaganda but social media created havoc all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and as a result almost 50% of parents are now refusing to let their children get vaccinated. He emphasized that the concerned officials have to make great efforts now to pave the way.
The second guest, Molana Ghous Ulkabeer said that it is imperative to bring social media under a set of regulations and ethics while ulema , intellectuals and the civil society should be mobilized to make this campaign a success.
A field-based report by Mr. Abdul Razaq shared that Pakistan is a country where children are still affected by polio. Recently due to polio campaign, this disease is controlled considerably and according to the Health Department, in 2014 there were 306 cases, 54 in 2015, 20 in the following year and currently, six children are affected by polio virus.
The report by Mr. Afzal Mohmand highlighted that the recent propaganda and rumors harmed polio campaign drastically, and many cases of refusal were reported.
A total of eight calls were received during the show.
About Sabawoon:
Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion.
The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with input from government and other senior officials. Jawandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for youth, and students. Socio-cultural affairs and issues of women are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.