Fawzia and Fatima Seek to Protect Their Children from Polio
Badakhshan, Afghanistan – It’s early in the morning, and the sun has just risen over the hills of Layaba, a remote village in Faizabad, Badakhshan. Two mothers, 33-year-old Fawzia and 30-year-old Fatima, are making their way to the health center, holding their children closely along the way.
Today is a significant day for their children, Jawad and Fareeda, as they will receive the polio vaccine for the first time.
Fawzia, smiling, expressed her happiness about bringing her son to the village health center for the polio vaccination, a step that will protect him from this crippling disease.
She explained that she initially had doubts about the vaccine due to rumors she had heard from her neighbors, who claimed that the vaccine could harm children’s health.
However, after a social mobilizer named Latifa explained the dangers of polio and the benefits of the vaccine, she changed her mind.
“When I realized the importance of the polio vaccine and understood the truth, I didn’t wait for the polio vaccination campaign. Instead, I decided to take my child to the village health center and ensure he received the polio vaccine along with other immunizations,” she adds.
Fawzia also mentioned that she has resolved to follow the doctors’ advice by regularly taking her child to the health center for the polio vaccine, ensuring he remains protected from this dangerous disease.
Fatima had a similar experience. She too had been influenced by misinformation and rumors, but once she learned the facts, she decided to vaccinate her child.
Fawzia, with a smile, expressed that she is happy about bringing her son to the village health center for the polio vaccination, a step that will protect him from this crippling disease © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Raqiba Hamidi
“A week ago, my child fell ill, and I took him to the nearest doctor for treatment. After examining him, the doctor asked if I had vaccinated him against polio. When I expressed my concerns, the doctor reassured me that my worries were baseless; he explained the benefits of the vaccine, and encouraged me to make sure my child gets vaccinated,” Fatima recalls.
Based on this, she decided to take her children to the village health center for vaccination.
Both mothers have an important message for other mothers, they urge them not to fall prey to misinformation and rumors about the polio vaccine.
“Every mother must understand that vaccines safeguard children from polio and other dangerous diseases. Do not let your children fall victim to such diseases due to your neglect and carelessness. Vaccination is your child’s right, and they must be vaccinated to have a healthy and safe future.”
They call on mothers to not wait for polio campaigns and to take their children to the nearest health centers and vaccinate them.
The Layaba health clinic, built in 2011 with German funding and now supported by the Aga Khan Foundation, has been providing healthcare services, including vaccinations, to the local community for over a decade.
The clinic’s director, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmadzadeh, explains that in addition to other healthcare services, they provide vaccinations and raise awareness among patients and their families about hygiene and the prevention of various diseases.
He is pleased to see dozens of mothers bringing their children to the health center every day, where they receive polio vaccinations along with other immunizations.
Dr. Ahmadzadeh notes that the clinic has played a crucial role in preventing polio and other diseases in the region.
By Raqibq Hamidi, Polio Free Afghanistan
