Khatira Abrari: Championing Children’s Health Against Polio in Badakhshan
Raqiba Hamidi
Badakhshan, Afghanistan – 27-year-old Khatira Abrari from Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, has been a dedicated polio vaccinator for the past three years, vaccinating over 50 children daily in every campaign.
Khatira graduated from the biology department of the Teachers’ Training University after completing her primary and middle school education at Halima Sadia High School.
After graduating from university, she decided to participate in polio vaccination campaigns and serve her community in the health sector.
Through her tireless efforts and positive attitude, Khatira has made a significant contribution to reducing polio cases in the New City area of Faizabad.
As a committed vaccinator, she has managed to vaccinate more than 10,000 children against polio during her three-year career.
Khatira Abrari, a 27-year-old resident of Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, has been a dedicated polio vaccination worker for the past three years, vaccinating over 50 children daily in every campaign © Polio-Free Afghanistan / 2024 / Raqiba Hamidi
Khatira employs various educational methods in her activities, such as showing videos of individuals disabled by polio and providing information about the benefits of vaccination, to accurately inform parents.
Regarding her experiences in connecting with families, Khatira recalls a cold winter day when she visited a household whose head was strongly opposed to vaccination. With great patience, she explained the benefits of vaccination and eventually convinced him.
She says, “That day was an unforgettable day in my life because I managed to convince a family and save their child from polio.”
Khatira continues her work with hope and motivation, aiming to vaccinate more children in the future to eradicate polio not only in Badakhshan but throughout the entire country.
Her message to families is that vaccines play a crucial role in preventing serious and dangerous diseases. By vaccinating children, not only are they protected from diseases, but it also helps maintain public health and prevent the spread of disease.
Khatira continues her work with hope and motivation, aiming to vaccinate more children in the future to eradicate polio not only in Badakhshan but throughout the entire country © Polio Free Afghanistan /2024/ Raqiba Hamidi
Maryam, the mother of one-and-a-half-year-old Ali and four-year-old Sara, says, “Khatira has always provided us with information about the value of polio in a very patient and informative way, which has been very beneficial and has alleviated our concerns.”
She says she now vaccinates her children with complete confidence and hopes that other families will do the same to protect their children from polio.
Maryam added, “My message to all parents is that the only sure way to prevent polio is to vaccinate children. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ensure a healthy future for your children.”
Fatima, a resident of New City in Faizabad, says Khatira’s efforts are commendable, as she visits people’s homes and educates them about the importance of the polio vaccine.
She added, “Thanks to her, we understood how important the polio vaccine is for our children’s health. Khatira, with her positive energy, is truly a hero of the community.”
Khatira Abrari has played a significant role in combating polio in Badakhshan through her tireless efforts and courage. Overcoming numerous challenges and fostering trust and cooperation between the community and vaccination teams, she has achieved remarkable accomplishments in this field. She hopes to continue her work and help create a better and healthier future for the children in Badakhshan.
