A Tale of a Cold Morning in Takhar: Vaccination, A Hope for Life

Takhar, Afghanistan – It is a chilly morning during the autumn season in Taloqan, the capital of Takhar. The air is cold but pleasant. Yellow and orange leaves cover the ground, and a gentle breeze blows among the trees.

In this peaceful atmosphere, the Bibi Shema Health Center is bustling with activity. Parents stand in line with their children, eager to have them vaccinated, protecting them from polio and other dangerous diseases.

Amid this hustle and bustle, Faheem Ullah Azizi, one of the experienced vaccinators at the center, is lovingly and patiently engaged in vaccinating children.

Faheem Ullah, 32, is a graduate of the nursing department at Takhar Medical University. For the past five years, he has been working at the Bibi Shema Health Center, where he has vaccinated more than 5,000 children so far.

 

A Life Dedicated to Children’s Safety

Faheem Ullah passionately says: “When I started working here, I was merely fulfilling my responsibility, but now this work has become a great duty for me. Every time I vaccinate a child, I feel like I am taking a step toward their better future.”

He not only administers vaccines but also educates families about hygiene and disease prevention.
“Most of the hospital’s visitors are women and children. When we talk to them about hygiene and preventing diseases, we earn their trust, which plays a vital role in encouraging them to accept vaccination,” Faheem Ullah states.

With a smile, he shares a memorable story: “One day, a mother came looking for medicine for herself. When I spoke with her, I realized her one-year-old child had not yet been vaccinated. After I explained everything to her, she decided to vaccinate her child. When the vaccine was administered, the mother cried with joy and said she now felt assured about her child’s health.”

The Bibi Shema Health Center vaccinates 120 to 150 children daily. The center administers vaccines for contagious diseases such as polio, measles, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. Visitors come to the health center from various areas, including Gawmali, Baharistan, and Postkhor.

 

Faheem Ullah, 32, is a graduate of the nursing department at Takhar Medical University. For the past five years, he has been working at the Bibi Shema Health Center, where he has vaccinated more than 5,000 children so far. © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Raqiba Hamidi

 

Parents Who Have Experienced Change

33 years old Zahra Ahmadi, is one of the mothers who has learned a valuable lesson from her experience with vaccination.

She has come to this health center with her two children and confidently says: “Previously, I didn’t know much about vaccines and was negligent about vaccinating my children. But one day, my daughter fell ill, and I brought her to this health center. The vaccinator told me that if don’t vaccinate my daughter, her illness could become even more dangerous. On that day, I decided to vaccinate all my children.”

Now, Zahra has become an advocate for vaccination and explains to other mothers in her village: “Listen to the vaccinators; these vaccines save our children’s lives.”

On the other hand, Nader Karimi, a 36-year-old resident of Gawmali village, decided to vaccinate his children after a child in his village faced hardships due to contracting the poliovirus.

“I used to think vaccines weren’t important, but when I saw the effects of polio in my village, my perspective changed. Now, I never delay my children’s vaccinations,” he said.

Nader also credits Faheem Ullah for helping change his mindset: “Faheem Ullah spoke to people like us with patience and gave us the chance to make the right decisions. As parents, we have a responsibility to protect our children.”

 

Now, Zahra has become an advocate for vaccination and explains to other mothers in her village: “Listen to the vaccinators; these vaccines save our children’s lives.” © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Raqiba Hamidi

 

The Key Role of Bibi Shema Health Center in Children’s Health

Dr. Hafizullah Hashimi, the head of the Bibi Shema Health Center, highlights the center’s significance: “This health center was established in 2018 to provide healthcare services to residents of remote areas. In 2020, its vaccination department became operational. Today, the center plays a key role in combating polio and other dangerous diseases.”

He adds, “So far, we have convinced over 5,000 families to understand the importance of vaccination. Every day, we witness an increase in public awareness and participation in vaccination efforts.”

Dr. Hafizullah concludes with an important message for parents: “We must all come together to eradicate polio. Dear parents, trust us and vaccinate your children. This is a crucial responsibility that should never be overlooked.”

Raqiba Hamidi, Polio Free Afghanistan