Zabul, Afghanistan – Nisar Ahmad and Hikmatullah, residents of Shahjoy District in Zabul Province, are two young polio vaccination campaign volunteers who have dedicated themselves to the health and safety of children.
They not only deliver polio vaccines to every child in their community but also work to dispel misconceptions and spread awareness about the importance of vaccination.
Vaccinating Children and Enlightening Minds, Side by Side
Nisar Ahmad, who has been actively participating as a volunteer in polio vaccination campaigns for the past five years, explains that his role goes beyond administering vaccines. He strives to enlighten people about the significance of vaccination.
He adds, "A large portion of the community is illiterate and unaware of the dangers of polio and the importance of vaccination. I have always tried to educate them in simple terms so they can vaccinate their children against this disease."
Hikmatullah, Nisar Ahmad’s colleague, also says, "Some families refuse to vaccinate their children due to traditional beliefs and misinformation. However, with the help of religious scholars and local elders, we engage with these families and show them that vaccinating children against polio is not optional but a necessary action."
He adds that by using this approach, they have made many families understand the value of the polio vaccine, and now they regularly vaccinate their children.
Convincing a Father
Among their achievements, Nisar Ahmad and Hikmatullah recount the story of a father who initially refused to vaccinate his children.
Allahdad, a father of five, had concerns about the polio vaccine, having heard that it could harm children’s health.
However, Nisar Ahmad and Hikmatullah patiently listened to his worries and then provided scientific explanations, showing that the polio vaccine protects children from permanent paralysis, boosts their immunity, and helps maintain community health.
Nisar Ahmad recalls that when Allahdad changed his mind, it felt like taking another step closer to their goal of a polio-free Afghanistan.
Allahdad himself says, "At first, I thought the polio vaccine was dangerous and not good for children, but these vaccinators made me realize that my doubts were baseless. Now, not only do I regularly vaccinate my children, but I also recommend this important action to others."
A Bright Message
The efforts of Nisar Ahmad and Hikmatullah in Shahjoy District of Zabul have significantly changed people's mindsets, making them more attentive to the health and safety of their children.
They have now realized that vaccines are the only means to protect children from the dangerous poliovirus, and that vaccines have significantly reduced cases of paralysis and child deaths around the world.
The story of Nisar Ahmad and Hikmatullah teaches us that every individual effort, no matter how small it may seem, holds great value in driving positive change within a community.
Their work also conveys a powerful message: every child has a right to good health, and it is our duty to defend this right.
Each child in Shahjoy District who is protected from polio through vaccination represents a milestone of success. These victories must continue until one day all children in the country can live free from the threat of polio.
Saeed Zabuli | Zabul
