Mohammad’s Efforts to Safeguard Children from Polio
Hosai Ahmadzai
Kabul, Afghanistan – In a remote village in the Surobi district of Kabul, where access to vaccination and other healthcare services is limited due to various social and geographical challenges, a 31-year-old man named Mohammad stands at the frontline in the fight against polio.
Mohammad, alongside his team, strives to ensure that every child in the region receives the polio vaccine, safeguarding them from this dangerous disease.
Mohammad says that his duty lies in an area where access to healthcare services is already low, and in addition to this, some residents harbor misconceptions about the polio vaccine, having fallen prey to rumors.
“When we administer the polio vaccine to children, some parents believe it will harm them. However, we provide accurate information about the vaccine and explain its benefits, ultimately persuading them to vaccinate their children,” he added.
He said that the concerns people have about the polio vaccine stem from a lack of education, while the polio vaccine is one of the most effective health measures globally that protects children from the crippling and deadly disease of polio.
He stated that the world came close to eradicating polio due to widespread vaccination campaigns that began in the 1950s, and that through these efforts, many regions eradicated the virus.
Mohammad, alongside his team, strives to ensure that every child in the region receives the polio vaccine, safeguarding them from this dangerous disease © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Hosai Ahmadzai
Continuing, Mohammad noted that as recently as 1988, approximately 350,000 cases of polio were reported globally each year. However, thanks to vaccination campaigns, this number has been reduced by 99%. Currently, the virus exists only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, posing a continuous threat to children’s lives.
He stresses that for this reason, it is crucial to raise awareness, so that people understand the importance of vaccinating their children and protecting them from this deadly disease.
Mohammad said that he and his team are committed to their work despite the difficulties and obstacles they face, because even a single day of neglect could put a child at risk for polio.
Mohammad believes that their efforts alone are not enough to eradicate polio; the entire community must work together to protect the children who represent the country’s future from this devastating disease.
He especially counts on young people to play a key role in preventing polio.
“Educated youth can help dispel myths surrounding the polio vaccine through social media, if they spread accurate scientific information, people will become aware of the dangers of polio and the benefits of the vaccine,” he said
Mohammad and thousands of other volunteers involved in the polio vaccination campaign work tirelessly every day to save countless children across the country from this dangerous disease.
Thanks to their hard work, polio cases have decreased in many areas, demonstrating how vital public awareness and understanding about the importance of vaccines truly are.
