Farah, Afghanistan – On a hot day at the Farah City Health Center in District 2 of Farah province, the air is filled with the sounds of children’s cries and the reassuring voices of vaccinators. Every day, mothers and fathers bring their children here for vaccination, where 18-year-old Farishta Omari and her colleagues warmly welcome them with kindness and care.
For the past year and a half, Farishta has been working at this health center as a vaccinator with strong dedication. In her eyes shines a vision of a future free from the polio virus—a future she strives to bring closer with every vaccine drop.
Farishta and her colleagues vaccinate between 100 to 150 children under the age of five against polio every day.
These children come from various parts of Farah city and even distant districts, where not only a dangerous virus but an uncertain future looms over them.
Farishta warmly reassures a mother holding her child, emphasizing that the polio vaccine is essential to protect her child.
Understanding the importance of her role, she said, "Every child is as dear to me as my own. I don’t want any child in our community to miss out on vaccination and become a victim of this dreadful disease."
She continues her work with courage, especially now that the number of polio cases has surged in neighboring provinces like Kandahar and Helmand.
Every day, fathers and mothers bring their children in their arms for vaccination, where 18-year-old Farishta Omari and her colleagues warmly welcome them with love and kindness.
© Polio Free Afghanistan | 2024 | Marzia Frotan
Farishta voices her concern, saying, "The situation is truly alarming. New polio cases in Kandahar and Helmand have increased the risk for Farah’s children. Our goal is to vaccinate every child to stop the virus from spreading."
With smiles, Farishta and her colleagues vaccinate the children and reassure mothers that the polio vaccine will safeguard their children from this dangerous virus.
As she administers two drops of the vaccine into a child’s mouth, she dreams of a day in which no child in Afghanistan suffers from polio.
"My hope is for the complete eradication of the polio virus in Afghanistan, so no child falls victim to this crippling disease," Farishta says with hope.
She is confident that, with the support of parents, they can one day eradicate this virus from Afghanistan.
The presence of parents—especially parents like Mohammad Qasim Nekmal, who brought his three children under the age of five from Pusht Rod district to the vaccination center— motivates Farishta and other vaccinators like her.
Mohammad Qasim, who has vaccinated his children against diseases like jaundice, measles, and whooping cough, said, "I bring my children to this health center for vaccinations regularly because I know that vaccines, especially the polio vaccine, protect my children from serious and dangerous diseases."
He firmly stated that every parent has a responsibility to protect their children by vaccinating them to prevent diseases like polio. Without timely vaccinations, children face a grim future.
From Mohammad Qasim's perspective, vaccinators like Farishta are the true heroes in the fight against this virus.
He proudly commends their efforts, saying, "Vaccinators stand on the front line against this dangerous virus. They fight to save our children, and I am proud of them."
With smiles, Farishta and her colleagues immunize children and reassure mothers that the polio vaccine will safeguard their children from this dangerous virus.
© Polio Free Afghanistan | 2024 | Marzia Frotan
Similarly, Dr. Abdul Samad Siam, head of the District 2 Health Center, stresses that vaccinating children on time is the only way to prevent polio in the community.
"Polio is a dangerous virus that paralyzes children and can even be life-threatening, this disease has no cure, and the only way to protect children is through consistent vaccination," he said.
Like Farishta, Dr. Siam is concerned about the rise in polio cases in neighboring provinces and emphasizes that polio vaccination campaigns should be strengthened through increased family cooperation.
The efforts of Farishta and other vaccinators represent a profound commitment and love for life. Every vaccine drop given to a child symbolizes hope for the future—a future where the children of this country are protected from this deadly virus and can live free from polio.
This is not merely the story of one vaccinator's dedication; it is a story of hope, courage, and the fight for a healthy, secure future for Afghanistan's children.
Farishta and her colleagues are silent heroes, standing each day on the front lines against polio, carrying the hope that one day Afghanistan will be free from this dangerous virus.
Marzia Frotan | Farah
