Nilab’s Efforts to Eradicate Polio: Changing Mindsets and Saving Lives

Badakhshan, Afghanistan – Nilab Jalali, who has been working as a vaccinator in polio vaccination campaigns in Badakhshan for the past three years, has become a symbol of Afghan youth’s commitment to eradicating this disease.

She administers the polio vaccine to an average of 110 to 115 children each day during campaigns. Her successes are the result of her efforts and hard work, as the path has been full of challenges that reflect the difficulties of vaccination in Afghanistan’s remote areas.

 

Efforts and Success

Nilab Jalali recalls her early days on the job, days filled with concerns and even refusal from parents.

“At the beginning of my work, many families feared the polio vaccine and believed it might harm their children,” she said.

According to Nilab, these concerns were largely due to misconceptions that existed in the community, so convincing such families to vaccinate their children was not an easy task.

She explained, “Throughout my work, I frequently encountered resistance or refusal from families who believed that the polio vaccine would make their children ill. However, I provided them with information and awareness, explaining that polio is a paralyzing and deadly disease with no cure, and the only way to prevent it is to ensure that children receive two drops of the polio vaccine on time during each campaign.”

Nilab believes that, alongside vaccinating children, raising awareness among families is a key part of her work.

“Parents need to understand that vaccination is the only way to prevent dangerous diseases like polio. If they have the right information, they will make better decisions for their children’s health,” she said.

Nilab states in her message to parents: “Accurate information can save your children’s lives. Please do not believe in baseless rumors and take polio vaccination seriously.”

 

Nilab Jalali, who has been working as a vaccinator in polio vaccination campaigns in Badakhshan for the past three years, has become a symbol of Afghan youth’s commitment to fighting this disease © Polio free Afghanistan/2024/Raqiba Hamidi

 

Changing Families’ Mindsets

Despite the challenges, Nilab has managed to persuade many families that polio vaccination is crucial for their children. One such family she successfully persuaded is the Rahimi family.

Bashir Rahimi, the head of the family, initially refused to vaccinate his children against polio, believing that vaccinating his children would harm their health.

“We believed in the rumors and thought the vaccine would harm our children. However, with great patience and compassion, Nilab helped us understand that these beliefs were false and that the vaccine safeguards children from the dangerous disease of polio,” he said.

Now aware of the importance of polio vaccination, Bashir Rahimi’s message to parents is to ignore rumors and vaccinate their children to protect them from polio.

Another family Nilab successfully convinced is the Nekzad family. Sara Nekzad, the head of the family, initially did not trust the polio vaccine.

“We thought the polio vaccine was useless and might harm the children, but Nilab patiently explained to me the dangers of the disease and how the vaccine safeguards our children,” she said.

Now fully aware of the importance of polio vaccination, she says, “We now regularly vaccinate our children and have no doubts about it.”

Sara also has a message for parents, stating, “Pay attention to increasing awareness and public information, and view vaccination as crucial for your children’s health.”

 

Hopes for Eradicating Polio

The efforts of Nilab Jalali and other young vaccinators have kept the hope of a polio-free future alive in the country.

Despite all the challenges, they continue to work with motivation and commitment, hoping to contribute to this significant achievement through their efforts and, one day, witness a polio-free Afghanistan.

 

By Raqiba Hamidi, Polio Free Afghanistan