From Awareness to Action: Feroza’s Efforts to Safeguard Children
Samangan, Afghanistan – Feroza Manan Zada, a social mobilizer and vaccinator at the vaccination department of Samangan Provincial Hospital, is dedicated to safeguarding children from polio and other life-threatening diseases through raising awareness.
25-year-old Feroza, originally from Balkh province, pursued midwifery studies and completed two years in the medical faculty at Balkh University before she was deprived of her studies. For the past year, she has been serving as a social mobilizer and vaccinator at Samangan Provincial Hospital.
Every day, from 8 AM to 2 PM, Feroza not only educates families about the dangers of polio and other diseases and the crucial role of vaccination, but also administers vaccines to children.
She regularly visits various hospital departments, educating mothers about the severity of diseases like polio, explaining how they spread and infect children, and informing them about prevention strategies.
She adds that, although there has been some progress in public awareness in Samangan province on this matter, some mothers are still prevented from vaccinating their children by the elders of their families.
Feroza says that in some cases, she reaches out to these household elders to provide comprehensive information about polio and other diseases, encouraging them to vaccinate their children.
Every day, from 8 AM to 2 PM, Feroza not only educates families about the dangers of polio and other diseases and the crucial role of vaccination, but also administers vaccines to children. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2024/ Abdul Saboor Serat
She narrates: “One day, I was at the hospital’s vaccination department, preparing to give a child the polio vaccine, but the mother refused, saying her husband didn’t approve. I decided to call him. When he arrived at the hospital, I provided him with detailed information about the dangers of polio and the benefits of vaccination. Once he understood, he gladly agreed to have his child vaccinated.”
Feroza adds that, among several other achievements, she was able to engage with four families who initially refused the vaccine in a short period of time and, through her knowledge, skills, and patience, convinced them to vaccinate their children to protect them from polio.
Her colleague, 24-year-old Khalina Baigzada, also works in the same capacity, providing awareness to mothers and vaccinating children against polio and other diseases.
She highlights the impact of raising awareness about the importance of polio vaccination: “Most of the mothers who bring their children here for vaccination are city dwellers and educated individuals who are well-informed about the benefits of the vaccine and the dangers of the virus. These mothers also educate others in their neighborhoods about the importance of vaccination, helping to increase vaccination coverage in various areas.”
Izatullah, a 32-year-old resident of Karte Khurasan in Aybak city and father of three, shared that he consistently advises his wife to ensure their children are vaccinated against polio.
Feroza’s colleague 24-year-old Khalina Baigzada, also works in the same capacity, providing awareness to mothers and vaccinating children against polio and other diseases. © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2024/ Abdul Saboor Serat
He added that polio vaccination is the only way to protect children from paralysis and that he always cooperates with volunteers and healthcare workers in his neighborhood to ensure all children in the area are vaccinated against polio.
“All parents should vaccinate their children on time, just as I do, to keep them safe from diseases,” he said.
Dr. Ghulam Sadiq Halimi, head of Samangan Provincial Hospital, commended the female vaccinators for their tireless efforts, noting that they are on the front lines in the fight against polio and have managed to save thousands of children from permanent paralysis.
“The vaccination department is one of the hospital’s most active units. Each day, vaccinators administer vaccines with patience and dedication to ensure that no child misses vaccination,” Dr. Halimi added.
According to him, the unit is well-stocked with polio vaccines, and there are no obstacles or shortages in vaccinating children.
Vaccinating children against polio not only ensures their individual health but also plays a vital role in the health of the entire community. Even a minor oversight can endanger the lives of many children.
Abdul Saboor Serat, Polio Free Afghanistan
