Health Minister Dr. Deepak Sawant interacts with Muslim Heads to dispel the Myths about MR Vaccine Drive The Indian Government’s Union Health Ministry has started an immunization programme against Measles-Rubella vaccine (MR) this year with the aim to eliminate Measles and Rubella diseases across the country by 2020. The immunization is being given to children of the ages of nine months and 15 years.
However religious objections, particularly from the Muslim community along with superstition and mistrust are threatening to make this drive successful in Mumbai.
Hence in a bid to dispel the myths and misconception regarding ongoing Measles-Rubella Vaccine Drive Hon’ble Health Minister of Maharashtra Dr. Deepak Sawant on Thursday, 20th December interacted with Muslim Heads like scholars, intellectual and doctors to clarify their myths over MR-(Measles Rubella) vaccine.
The Inter-action seminar was held at Islam gymkhana Marine Line station and was attended by All India Ulema Board; Rehmat Foundation; Milli Council and various Muslim organizations.
Prominent Islamic scholar and intellectuals of the Muslim community who attended the session include the Islamic scholars of all the sects of the community. Few of them who are the opinion makers of Muslim community were Islamic Scholars Maulana Mehmood Daryabadi Gen Secretary Ulma Council (Deoband school of thought ), Maulana Sayed Athar Ali member Muslim Personal Law Board (Sunni school of thought ), Maulana Abdul Salam (Jamiat Ulema) , Maulana Naushad (Imamul Hind Foundation), Mufti Ashfak imam of Jama Masjid Mumbai, Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi of Markazul Maruf and others.
The list of intellectuals were Arshad Siddiqui, chairman, Red Crescent Society of India., M A Khalid runs various Muslim NGO Salim Alware Muslim educationist, Afroz Malik Muslim social activist, Javed Jamal senior Urdu Journalist, Advocate Farhan Shah (who had appeared in various famous cases includes 93 blast case) Shamsher Khan Pathan Rtd ACP, Mohib Ali Naseer prominent figure of Khoja Shia community Shakil Shail, Dr,Zaheer Kazi, Shabbir Somji from Habeeb Hospital and Many others.
Among the eminent Doctors and professionals were Dr. Sameer Dalvi famous pediatrics, Dr. Zubair Shaikh vice president Medical Council of India (UNANI), and internationally famous homeopathy doctor Dr. Anwar Amir Ansari.Dr Pardeep Kumar Vyas, Principal Secretary, Public Health Department, additional director of health Dr Archana Patil etc.
