In a bid to bolster the upcoming polio vaccination campaign and counter misinformation, the Marib Health Office convened a large-scale meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with academics and students from the Faculty of Medicine at the Saba Regional University.

"This gathering aims to mobilize the resources and expertise of the medical faculty, including academics and advanced-level students, to support and advocate for the second round of the polio vaccination campaign," said Ziad Al-Ra'i, the Health Information Officer, to Barran Press. The campaign, scheduled to launch on July 15, will be conducted door-to-door and at fixed vaccination centers across all districts of the governorate.

Al-Ra'i further explained that the meeting seeks to activate the faculty's role in supporting health education volunteers participating in the accompanying awareness campaign, set to begin on July 12. The campaign aims to emphasize the importance of vaccination, assure the safety of vaccines, and encourage the vaccination of all children under five to protect them from this deadly virus.

Deputy Governor of Marib for Administrative Affairs, Judge Abdullah Al-Bakri, highlighted the crucial role of the Faculty of Medicine in supporting the health sector in Marib, assisting its efforts, and facilitating the delivery of various health services to internally displaced persons and the host community in the governorate. These services include routine and emergency immunizations to safeguard the community from epidemics, diseases, and deadly viruses.

Al-Bakri urged the medical faculty to advocate for the upcoming campaigns, coordinating efforts with the Health Office and participating teams to ensure their success. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 102,456 children under five across all districts of the governorate.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Amal Al-Hawari, called upon academics and students to fulfill their educational and enlightening roles in society, countering what she described as organized Houthi propaganda campaigns aimed at intimidating people about vaccination, casting doubt on the safety of vaccines, and downplaying their importance.

Al-Hawari stressed the need to refute these malicious rumors that threaten public health, presenting scientific evidence and relying on proven facts.

Dr. Amal Dhuwan, Deputy Director General of the Health Office, confirmed that the Marib Health Office, in partnership with the National Center for Media and Health Education at the Ministry of Health and funded by UNICEF, is continuing to hold extensive meetings with official and civil entities, community leaders, intellectuals, and influencers in the governorate.

Dhuwan clarified that the office aims to engage all active and influential groups in society to mobilize and advocate for the upcoming vaccination campaign in Marib. She emphasized that safeguarding community health and protecting it from deadly diseases is a national, ethical, and religious responsibility that falls upon everyone.