OIC Secretary General Reviews Polio Eradication Activities with Chairman of the Islamic Advisory Group for Polio

20/04/2017- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, received the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Islamic Advisory Group for Polio Eradication (IAG), Dr. Yaqub Almazrou, at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on 19 April 2017.

Appreciating the role of IAG in dispelling misconception about polio vaccination in the polio-affected countries, the Secretary General pledged support for the expanded mandate of IAG to cover issues pertaining to maternal and child health. He emphasized that IAG should continue focusing on imparting training to the religious scholars, students and community leaders about the role of Islam in promoting maternal and child health issues.

On his part, Dr. Mazrou thanked OIC Secretary General for his leadership in mobilizing the political support for the efforts of the IAG in the fight against polio. Dr. Mazrou also briefed the Secretary General on the expanded role of IAG to support maternal and child health initiatives, particularly in the priority areas of breastfeeding, immunization, birth spacing, hygiene and sanitation and care-seeking behavior.

IAG was established in 2013 as a partnership between Al Azhar AlSharif, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The broad objectives of IAG, with its secretariat in EHO/EMRO were to a) promote immunization and polio eradication activities as local initiatives; b) change the perceptions of the local communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and other predominantly Islamic countries; c) help gain community confidence to increase access; and d) help secure greater financial, political and religious support from Islamic countries and organizations.

Source: http://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=13425&t_ref=5857&lan=en