A Determined Young Man’s Tireless Fight Against Polio

Logar, Afghanistan — As the first rays of the morning sun spread across the mountains of Mohammad Agha district in Logar province, 31-year-old Mohammad Bashir Hakimi prepares for his duty.

Carrying a polio vaccine box over his shoulder, he steps out of his home and moves quickly through the village’s narrow alleys, determined to reach the vaccination site on time.

With a face bearing deep marks of responsibility and determination, Hakimi is once again committed today, as always, to his mission of protecting the children of his community from the deadly disease of polio.

For the past nine years, he has been tirelessly fighting polio in this district, beginning his journey as a vaccinator and now serving as the district’s coordinator for polio vaccination campaigns.

“I spent my childhood here,” he says. “Now that I’ve grown and see the children of my community, I feel as if their future rests in my hands. It’s this feeling that gets me out of bed each morning and drives me to the field with renewed resolve.”

It is this deep emotional bond and unwavering commitment that has enabled him to administer the polio vaccine to thousands of children — and he continues to carry on this vital duty to this day.

 

Mohammad Bashir Hakimi administers the polio vaccine to a child. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

Polio: A Silent Enemy

Polio is a dangerous viral disease that is yet to be completely eradicated in Afghanistan. Continuing to threaten children’s lives every year, it causes permanent paralysis, damaging not only children’s bodies but also shattering their hopes and dreams.

In a country like Afghanistan, where healthcare infrastructure remains limited, the fight against polio is anything but easy.

Yet Hakimi and his team strive during every campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of this disease and ensure that the polio vaccine reaches every last child.

 

Mohammad Bashir Hakimi trains his colleagues ahead of the start of the polio vaccination campaign. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

The Public’s Trust and Support

Hakimi is not alone; behind him stands the support of the entire community. Village elders, young people, and even the local mosque’s imam stand by his side.

“There was a time when people had doubts about the vaccine. They would say it might make their children ill. But we held meetings with the village elders and religious scholars, explained the importance of the vaccination to them, and now they are among our strongest supporters. For me, the greatest achievement is that we have earned the people’s trust,” he said.

Today, the residents of Mohammad Agha district’s villages understand the dangers of polio and willingly bring their children for vaccination.

A local teacher, Hajatullah Ahmadi, who has been inspired by Hakimi’s efforts, says, “Hakimi showed us that preventing polio is not the responsibility of just one person or a few individuals — it is the responsibility of the entire community. Now I work alongside him because I want to see a future where no child suffers from the pain of paralysis.”

 

Mohammad Bashir Hakimi supervises the work and activities of a member of his team. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

A Story of Experience

Hakimi recalls a painful memory from his work: “Once, I saw a five-year-old boy who had been paralyzed by polio — a child who had once run freely on his own feet was now dependent on others for the rest of his life. The sorrow and pain of his mother, crying over her son’s condition, left a deep impact on me and made me even more determined to continue my work with full dedication so that no other child would face such a fate.”

According to him, it was this moment that became the true driving force behind his fight.

 

Change in the Community

Because of the tireless work of Hakimi and his team, polio cases in Mohammad Agha district have dropped sharply over the past three years.

Although there was a time when people doubted the vaccine, they now understand the dangers of polio and fully cooperate with volunteers during vaccination campaigns.

 

Mohammad Bashir Hakimi, Polio Vaccination Campaign Coordinator for Mohammad Agha District, reviews the list of children. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

Hopes for the Future

Hakimi and his team continue their vital work, so that one day Afghanistan will be completely free of polio.

“This is not just my responsibility,” he said, “it is the responsibility of all Afghans. We must work together so that our children can have a healthy and happy future.”

The story of Mohammad Bashir Hakimi teaches us that the efforts of even one individual can bring about great change. But to fully reach our goal, we must work together in the fight against this dangerous disease.

Let us care for our children’s health, spread awareness about the importance of vaccination, and play our part in the fight against polio.

Only together can we protect our children from this silent enemy.