Health Centers in Herat and the Fight Against Polio
Marzia Frotan
Herat, Afghanistan – Gul Bibi, a 37-year-old woman, has brought her two-year-old daughter to a health center in the 12th district of Herat city for polio vaccination.
She lives in the same area with her husband and four children. A few weeks ago, during the polio vaccination campaign, she had traveled to her father’s house in Kohsan district, causing her child to miss the vaccine.
Upon returning home, Gul Bibi brought her daughter to the health center to make up for the missed vaccine, and ensure her child was safeguarded from the deadly disease of polio.
Gul Bibi says she regularly vaccinates her children during every campaign, but this time her child missed vaccination due to her trip.
She has four children, one of whom is under five years of age.
“I have always ensured my children receive the polio vaccine on time so they don’t contract this crippling disease. I see the polio vaccine as a way to safeguard my children from permanent paralysis,” she said.
Gul Bibi expressed how worried she was when her child missed the vaccine during the campaign. However, she was relieved and happy after visiting the health center and getting her child vaccinated.
“If this health center didn’t provide polio vaccines, I don’t know what would have happened to my child. It’s a relief that health centers offer vaccinations for many diseases, including polio,” she added.
She urged other parents to take advantage of these services and, if their children miss vaccinations during the polio campaigns, to visit the nearest health center for immunization.
Gul Bibi says she was deeply worried when her child missed the vaccination during the campaign, but after visiting the health center and getting her child vaccinated, she felt relieved and happy © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
Polio Vaccine: Children’s Lifesaver
Like Gul Bibi, dozens of other mothers have also brought their children to the health center for polio vaccinations.
26-year-old Zainab, holding her four-month-old son, was waiting in line for her turn to get her child immunized.
“I returned from Iran three months ago, and this is the first time I’ve brought my child to this health center for polio vaccination,” she shared.
She added that when she arrived in Herat, she heard that the polio virus had resurfaced, and she feared her child might contract this dangerous disease.
In her message to parents, she emphasized: “Our children’s health is our responsibility. Let’s vaccinate them and safeguard them from the deadly and paralyzing disease of polio.”
Mohammad Asif Kabir, an official of the polio eradication program in the western zone, stated, “Every day, more than 1,000 children under the age of five are brought to these health centers for polio vaccinations” © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
Expanding Access to Vaccination Services
According to health officials in Herat province, more than 130 health centers in the city and districts provide polio vaccination services.
Some of these health centers, such as those in the remote districts of Farsi and Chisht, are also operational.
Mohammad Asif Kabir, an official of the polio eradication program in the western zone, stated, “Every day, more than 1,000 children under the age of five are brought to these health centers for polio vaccinations.”
He explained that children who miss the vaccination during the campaign are later brought to health centers by their parents to receive the vaccine.
“We strive to ensure that no child, even in remote areas, is left unvaccinated. The vaccination program at the health centers is very well-organized, with vaccinators assigned to all 130 health centers to administer the vaccines to children,” Kabir added.
He expressed satisfaction that, thanks to increased awareness among families, more children are now being brought to health centers for vaccination than ever before.
