20,000 Uruzgan children to miss polio vaccine in fallen districts

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Health officials in central Uruzgan province say more than 20,000 children could not be vaccinated against polio disease in two districts which have recently been captured by the Taliban.

Public Health Director Dr. GhafarWatanwal, said vaccination campaign would not be conducted in all districts of the province due to insecurity.

He said more than 20,000 children in the two recently fallen districts (Chinarto and Gizab) would be deprived of the vaccine.

Governor Omar Sherzad called on the Taliban not to endanger the lives of children and allow volunteers to implement the vaccination drive.

He said the militants should not politicize public services and should not use them as a political tool.

The governor urged religious scholars and tribal elders to help implement the drive.

But the Taliban rejected they had imposed any restriction on polio vaccination.

Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, a spokesman to the Taliban, said they had never restricted the vaccination campaign.

sa/ma

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