Fighting Polio: A Volunteer’s Efforts for a Healthier Society
Paktika, Afghanistan – Ehsanullah, a 35-year-old native of Kunar province, currently resides in Wazi Khwa district of Paktika province, a remote area where numerous villages with adobe houses are scattered, and basic living facilities are scarce.
He works as a volunteer in polio vaccination campaigns in Wuch Khwar village of the district, considering the fight against polio not just a duty but a moral and religious responsibility.
“I have been volunteering in polio vaccination campaigns for about eight years, and I am proud to be on the front lines in the fight againt polio,” he says.
He adds that, in addition to administering polio vaccines to children in his designated area, he actively raises awareness among families about the dangers of polio and the value of vaccination.
Over the past eight years, he has made extensive efforts to ensure that every child in the region receives the polio vaccine, striving to prevent even a single child from falling victim to the disease.
He says that because of his continued efforts, every resident of the area now knows him, listens to him, and trusts him.
According to him, the trust he has built in the community has enabled him to convince dozens of families who previously opposed vaccinating their children.
He acknowledges that gaining people’s trust takes time, but he continually remains in touch with them, visiting their homes, listening to their concerns, and educating them about the benefits of vaccination.
Ehsanullah shares the story of one such family in the area that had opposed vaccination for years.
Haji Mohammad Gul, the paterfamilias of the family, believed that vaccines were part of a foreign conspiracy and was therefore unwilling to have his children vaccinated.
For Ehsanullah, however, this was not a minor issue. He knew that convincing one family could pave the way for persuading a dozen others.
Along with village leaders, the local mosque imam, and a schoolteacher, he visited Haji Mohammad Gul’s home and explained the harms of polio and the importance of vaccination from both an Islamic and medical perspective.
In the end, Haji Mohammad Gul was convinced and allowed his children to be vaccinated.
Ehsanullah describes this as a significant breakthrough for the entire village, as this decision encouraged many other families to vaccinate their children as well.
Ehsanullah says that over the past eight years, he has made extensive efforts to ensure that every child in the area receives the polio vaccine, striving to prevent even a single child from falling victim to the disease. © Polio-Free Afghanistan / 2025
Collective Efforts for a Healthy Society
Ehsanullah is not alone in the fight against polio; village elders and religious scholars stand by his side in this cause.
One such figure is the religious scholar Maulvi Mohammad Uddin, who considers polio vaccination a vital necessity for safeguarding children’s lives.
He consistently urges people in gatherings, meetings, and sermons to cooperate with polio vaccination campaign volunteers like Ehsanullah and ensure their children receive the vaccine in every campaign.
Emphasizing the importance of vaccination, he states that through immunization, communities can protect their children from the devastating effects of polio and take meaningful steps toward a healthier and happier society.
The fight against polio is not merely about administering vaccines; it is an ongoing effort to enlighten minds, dispel misconceptions, and secure a better future for children.
Ehsanullah and other healthcare workers like him dedicate their time, energy, and efforts to serving their communities, striving to make Afghanistan entirely polio-free.
However, this responsibility does not rest solely on vaccinators. Religious scholars, teachers, community leaders, parents, and society as a whole must join hands to eradicate this deadly disease.
If we fail to act today, future generations will face the hardships of disability. Let us unite to protect our children’s health, spread awareness about the importance of vaccination, and build a future where they can grow up strong, healthy, and free from limitations.
