Steadfast Steps Against Polio in Kaga Village
Nangarhar, Afghanistan – For the past few years, 25-year-old Shirin Zaman Tasal has been serving as a post-campaign monitor (PCM) for polio vaccination campaigns in Kaga village of Khogyani District, Nangarhar province.
A post-campaign monitor (PCM) is someone who, after the end of a vaccination campaign, goes door to door, speaks with families, and collects information to ensure that all children have been vaccinated. They also assess community awareness and satisfaction and evaluate the quality and transparency of the teams’ work.
Shirin Zaman Tasal, who considers building trust in the hearts of people his main goal, works to accurately identify children who may have missed vaccination for various reasons, so they can be vaccinated and protected from the threat of the poliovirus.
In the beginning, the work was not easy. People’s unfounded fears and various doubts about the vaccine were major obstacles in his path.
Many families believed that the vaccine was useless, and as a result, they did not allow their children to be vaccinated.
But with patience and deep commitment, he encouraged people to recognize the importance of the only safe way to protect against polio — vaccination.
“In the beginning, many families believed that the vaccine was either ineffective or part of a foreign conspiracy. But we created an atmosphere of trust, held continuous conversations with people, and explained the dangers of polio, the importance of vaccination, and the value of a healthy future for their children. I am happy that many families now understand this message and genuinely want their children to be vaccinated,” Tasal says.
Shirin Zaman Tasal conducts post-campaign monitoring in Kaga village © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
From Refusal to Cooperation
The village elder and tribal leader of Kaga, Haji Abdul Ghafoor, says: “Shirin Zaman Tasal is one of those young men who never gets tired. He speaks to every family with sincerity and kindness, raising their awareness and giving them confidence in vaccination.”
According to him, thanks to Tasal’s tireless efforts, many of the families who previously refused the vaccine are now willingly and happily vaccinating their children.
A resident of the area, Haji Niamatullah, whose son had not previously received vaccination, says: “I wasn’t confident before, but Tasal spoke with me several times. Each time, he patiently and calmly reassured me. Eventually, all my doubts disappeared. Now I’m ready for every campaign, my son will never miss a vaccination again.”
Meanwhile, a local religious leader, Mullah Imam Mawlawi Abdul Haleem, also praises Shirin Zaman Tasal’s efforts and says: “From a medical standpoint, it is a proven fact that the polio vaccine is the only and most effective way to save children’s lives and protect them from the risk of paralysis. Through vaccination, we can save our future generations from lifelong disability and ensure they live healthy and active lives.”
He states that, from a religious perspective, caring for children and protecting their lives is a moral and Islamic duty. Islam places immense value on human life, and all preventive measures that protect against illness are not only permitted in Sharia but are considered necessary.
This religious scholar added: “I always deliver this message to people from the pulpit of the mosque: administering the polio vaccine is not only a health measure, but also our religious and moral responsibility — because a healthy child is a sign of a secure future.”
Dr. Sibghatullah, a local health services coordinator, says: “Many families who had held negative views about vaccination for years are now vaccinating their children regularly thanks to the efforts of health workers like Shirin Zaman Tasal and the support of religious scholars. This is a major success in building public awareness and trust within the community.”
Tasal with vaccinated children in Kaga village © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Commitment Amid Challenges
Shirin Zaman Tasal visits dozens of households every day. He knocks on each family’s door, speaks with parents, and elders, and works to ensure that not a single child is left unvaccinated.
He does not rely solely on numbers and figures; he also works to build trust and confidence in the hearts of the people.
He patiently listens to each family’s concerns and explains the dangers of polio and the importance of vaccination in simple language, so that every parent can better care for their child’s health.
“As long as even one child remains unvaccinated, our work is not finished. For me, protecting children’s health is not just a professional duty, it is a moral and human responsibility. I believe that every child has the right to a healthy life, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they receive that right,” Tasal says.
The Voice of the Community and a Shared Responsibility
Abdul Qadeer, a social activist from Kaga village, says: “We are fortunate to have such dedicated and hardworking young people leading the fight against polio. This isn’t just about two drops of vaccine, it’s about safeguarding the healthy lives of future generations. I urge all families not to be negligent and to ensure their children are vaccinated regularly during every campaign.”
He adds that only community unity, combined with the collective efforts of religious scholars, tribal elders, and young people, can ensure success in the fight against polio. We should all stand shoulder to shoulder with these heroes.
Shirin Zaman Tasal’s story represents the thousands of volunteers and health workers who, despite challenges, dedicate their time and energy to protecting the lives of children.
Although the road is long and challenging, thanks to these dedicated efforts, Afghanistan will one day be declared a polio-free country. On that day, every child will have a healthy, happy life, safe from paralysis.
