From Resistance to Partnership: The Power of Compassion in Public Health
From Resistance to Partnership: The Power of Compassion in Public Health "Please remember, if anything happens to my grandchildren after this immunisation, I will hold you accountable. And I know that Allah will also hold you responsible," an elderly woman told me after I persuaded her and encouraged the immunisation team to vaccinate her grandchildren. Her words were not spoken out of hostility but out of love, fear, and a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of her grandchildren. At that moment, I realised that behind many cases of non-compliance lies a genuine concern for the safety of loved ones. Rather than responding defensively, I listened carefully, acknowledged her fears, and reassured her with patience, respect, and empathy. I supported her concerns and explained the importance of immunisation in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases. The outcome was remarkable. The same elderly woman who once questioned the safety of immunisation has bec...