MLA A M Ariff comment has doctors doubt government on vaccination

KOZHIKODE: Aroor MLA, A.M. Ariff’s statement against vaccination has drawn strong criticism from various quarters. At the scientific seminar organised by homeopath doctors in Alappuzha on Sunday, the MLA had said that he had supported the vaccination campaign with a heavy heart as he did not want to but had to relent as he was part of the government. The MLA also added that he has not administered vaccine to his children.  Reacting to MLA’s remarks, Kerala Government Medical Officer’s Association (KGMOA) general secretary Dr Raoof flayed that the ruling MLA’s comment reflects the non-sincerity of the government in the issue.

“The doctors had suffered many humiliations from the anti-vaccine people during the measles rubella campaign across the state. The government says that there is no sufficient law to lock such people. If not, law should be drafted. It is not fair to let doctors in the war field and the government backtracking,” he pointed. Indian Medical Association (IMA) state secretary Dr N. Sulphi lamented that the MLA belongs to a party, which has been considered socially progressive for scientific temper.

“The MLA should rectify his mistake over the statement which is against a health programme carried out by state-central governments under WHO supervision,” he urged. Dr Shimna Azeez, admin of Infoclinic wondered whether the MLA was aware of the soaring number of communicable diseases caused by the non-vaccination. “His statement is pathetic, to say the least. He had ridiculed the umpteen doctors, nurses and the society which stood for vaccination braving all odds” she said. But on Monday, the MLA explained that he was misquoted. “It was correct that my children were not given vaccine in their childhood due to the resistance of my wife, a homeopath. But I didn’t speak on regretting that I supported the vaccination drive,” he explained.