From Inspiration to Action: The Long Journey Toward Polio Prevention

Nangarhar, Afghanistan – In the Lal Pur district of Nangarhar, where the Kabul and Kunar rivers meet, a compassionate young man sets out every day to fight a “battle” that remains invisible to most people.

This young man is named Najibullah Hamidi, a 28-year-old who has spent the past 11 years on the frontlines of the fight against polio. He began as a vaccinator and now serves as a local coordinator.

He does not consider this work merely a job, but a national duty. That’s why he has dedicated his life to the goal that no child should be left unvaccinated and that his community and country be free from the poliovirus.

 

An Incident That Changed the Course of a Life

Najibullah’s motivation to begin his fight against polio stems from a tragic childhood memory.

“Years ago, when I was a child and attending school,” he says, “one of my classmates became paralyzed in both legs due to polio. Despite that, he still came to school with his father’s help. But after some time, his father passed away too, and that’s when Hashmat had to stop going to school… That day, it wasn’t just the door to education that closed for Hashmat — it was the door to life itself.”

This incident deeply affected Najibullah, and he resolved that once he graduated from school, he would dedicate himself to preventing the spread of polio.

He says this decision was driven by the hope that no other child should ever be paralyzed by polio like Hashmat; deprived of an education and denied the chance to shape their future.

 

Strategic Area, Tremendous Responsibility

Najibullah’s area of work, Lal Pur, is not just an ordinary district. It holds significant geographic, social, and public health importance. The Kabul and Kunar rivers pass through this region, nourishing fertile lands on both banks. Its flowing waters and scenic beauty also make it a popular destination for leisure and tourism.

A large bridge has been built here to facilitate travel for both local residents and tourists, connecting communities on both sides of the river. However, this high volume of movement has also increased the risk of poliovirus transmission and spread.

Najibullah takes this risk seriously and, together with his teams, works tirelessly to ensure that every child is vaccinated and protected from the dangerous disease of polio.

 

Najibullah Hamidi administers the polio vaccine to a child of Lal Pur district © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

Each Morning, a Promise Renewed

On polio vaccination campaign days, Najibullah and his colleagues are among the first to rise. They prepare vaccine carriers and other necessary supplies to ensure they reach vaccination sites on time.

Every morning, despite physical exhaustion and social challenges, they continue their work with dedication and compassion—vaccinating children and protecting their future.

Najibullah believes that the success of the campaign begins in these early hours: “In the morning, children are at home, and so are their parents. It’s the best time to reach them.”

He says that every morning, he and his colleagues begin their day with a sense of commitment, hope, and responsibility, a responsibility tied to the future of thousands of children.

 

Public Awareness, a Victory

Thanks to the efforts of Najibullah and his colleagues, awareness about the importance of vaccination has significantly increased among local communities. Village elders, religious scholars, youth, and women all now support the vaccination teams.

Javid, a resident of Lal Pur district, says: “Fighting polio is both a human and Islamic duty for every Afghan. We must support the vaccinators so they can immunize our children and protect them from this paralyzing disease.”

Another local resident, Mohammad Idris, helps vaccinators by identifying children who were missed and ensuring that they receive the vaccine.

This is a collective responsibility that everyone in the community takes seriously,” he says. “Because if even one child misses the vaccine, it can put many others at risk.

 

Najibullah Hamidi marks a child’s finger after vaccination © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025

 

Health Experts’ Warning

Dr. Yar Mohammad, a healthcare worker at the local hospital in Lal Pur district, says polio is a dangerous viral disease that primarily affects children. “Polio spreads very easily from one person to another, especially among children living in poor hygiene conditions. If the virus enters a child’s body, it can cause permanent paralysis,” he explains.

He adds that there is no cure for this disease, but the vaccine is an effective preventive tool. Just two drops of the vaccine can protect a child from lifelong paralysis.

He also praises the efforts of Najibullah and other volunteers, saying, “These youth are the true heroes of our society. From morning till evening, they work hard despite many challenges to deliver vaccines to children. This is not an ordinary task—it is a profound human commitment.”

He calls on the public to appreciate these efforts and to cooperate with vaccination teams: “Defeating polio is not solely the responsibility of vaccinators. It is our collective national and Islamic duty to vaccinate our children and support the volunteers leading this campaign.”

 

A Vow to Save a Generation

Najibullah’s story is not just a reflection of one person’s determination, compassion, and efforts; it is the voice of a generation that wants its future to stand on its own feet.

The children Najibullah and his colleagues are vaccinating today may one day become this country’s doctors, teachers, engineers, and leaders. But if they don’t receive these two drops of vaccine, that future may never occur.

Polio is a silent but deadly disease, and the fight against it is not the duty of a few individuals alone—it is a shared responsibility of the entire nation, of every father and every mother.

Let us join the fight against polio so that the next generation can live a life free from the shadow of paralysis and full of opportunity.