Polio-Affected Izzatullah: A Voice in Support of Vaccination
Nangarhar, Afghanistan — Izzatullah is originally from Kunar province, but he now lives with his family in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province.
He was three years old when he contracted polio. The disease took away his ability to move his hands and legs, changing the course of his life forever.
Today, he stands in the heart of the city as a living reminder for others. His message is clear: “I hope no other child ever suffers from this disease again.”
A Childhood Cut Short
Like any other child, Izzatullah dreamed of going to school, playing freely, and growing up healthy. But when the poliovirus attacked, it shattered all those dreams. His father, Mohammad Sharif, recalls: “My son was three years old when his hands and legs became paralyzed. The doctors told us he had contracted polio and that there was no cure for it. If we had given him the two drops of vaccine on time, he would not have faced this fate.”
This sentence reflects more than just one family’s pain — it is a reminder of the chance for prevention that should never be missed.
Izzatullah was three years old when he contracted polio. The disease took away his ability to move his hands and legs, changing the course of his life forever © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Healing Through Presence: From Home to the Marketplace
Every day, Mohammad Sharif takes Izzatullah with him to the marketplace. “If he stays home all the time,” he says, “his emotional well-being might suffer. In the market, people talk to him and treat him with respect, that gives Izzatullah a sense of worth and belonging.”
Izzatullah has no job or responsibility, yet each new day begins for him beneath the smiles and kind words of people in the heart of the city.
Halim, a shopkeeper in the city who has known Izzatullah for many years, says: “Every morning, I bring him a cup of tea. As a person with a disability, Izzatullah is a living example for those who neglect vaccinating their children. If he had been healthy, I can say with full confidence that today he would have been a good doctor, teacher, or engineer.”
Izzatullah’s Own Hope
Although Izzatullah lives with physical limitations, his mind remains bright. “I was once a healthy child, full of dreams about life. I wanted to play with my friends and go to school, but polio destroyed those dreams forever. Now I have only one hope — that no other child will ever suffer from this devastating disease,” he says.
This simple yet profound hope knocks on the hearts of every mother and father, reminding society that the health of every child is our shared responsibility.
What Does Polio Do and Why Are “Timely and Repeated Vaccinations” Important?
Polio is a viral disease that attacks the body’s nerves, often causing muscle weakness or even permanent paralysis, especially among children under the age of five. The disease spreads mainly when children are not vaccinated on time and at regular intervals.
Health workers emphasize: “If Izzatullah had received all his vaccinations on time, he would not have contracted polio. He was deprived of this vital right because of low awareness and other limitations. Now it is up to all of us, as a community, to close this gap together.”
Today, Izzatullah looks at the world with eyes filled with longing, and through a silent yet powerful message, he reminds everyone: “Never forget to give every child the two drops of vaccine, every time!” © Polio Free Afghanistan / 2025
Why Must Society Stand United Against Polio?
Many countries around the world have eliminated polio through vaccination, yet children in our country still remain at risk of the disease.
If community elders, religious scholars, youth, and health workers do not unite in the fight against polio, many more children will suffer from this dangerous disease, just like Izzatullah.
The Solution Is Simple, but Its Impact Is Great
The polio vaccine is safe, free, and effective. Each campaign aims to ensure that every child receives those two drops “on time” and “every time.” Completing the repeated doses strengthens the shield of protection.
The choice is in our hands: do we want to see our children disabled like Izzatullah, or healthy and strong like others?
The Voice of Izzatullah’s Hope
Today, Izzatullah looks at the world with eyes filled with longing, and through a silent yet powerful message, he reminds everyone: “Never forget to give every child the two drops of vaccine, every time!”
This is not just about the sorrow of a son and a father; it is about the future of Afghanistan’s next generations. If we stand together today and support every vaccination campaign, tomorrow our children will be in schools and on playgrounds, and the name “polio” will belong only to history.
