- Obama administration has promised to never use healthcare measures in its counter terrorism operations after a strongly worded letter of protest from deans of top US public health schools.
- This was over Central Intelligence Agency (CIA’s) use of a fake immunization drive in the hunt for Osama Bin Laden.
- Pakistani surgeon Shakil Afridi was engaged by CIA to obtain DNA samples from suspected relatives of Osama under the pretext of a hepatitis immunization survey. While the tactic itself failed, Save The Children (a major NGO) had to recall all foreign staff under pressure by the Pakistan govt.
- Following this, even Polio drives suffered a strong backlash including the death of several Polio workers linked to abroad-based charity organizations.
- This has affected the public health community as 83 new polio cases have emerged in Pakistan alone, far exceeding the numbers in Afghanistan and Nigeria, fuelling fears of igniting widespread transmission of the disease.
- India has been lauded by the world for its successful eradication of polio.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/us-wont-use-vaccine-drives-for-covert-operations/article6031303.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Operation Geronimo
- Terrorism
- Counter-terrorism operations
- Polio