Friday, July 22, 2011

Democracy vaccinations

"News of that anti-hepatitis campaign, which U.S. officials said did not succeed in collecting bin Laden DNA, has stirred outrage among international public-health organizations, which say it could deal a stiff blow to efforts to stem polio and expand routine vaccinations in Pakistan and beyond. In a nation swirling with rumors of CIA plots, critics say, this real-life one could cement public suspicions, play to radical clerics’ anti-vaccine propaganda and endanger health workers.  “This is an example of the abuse of medical care for political or military ends,” said Benoit de Gryse, Doctors Without Borders’ head of mission in Pakistan, adding that it could cause patients to view health-care providers “as potential suspects.”"