Polio has made the life of a child and his family miserable
Hosai Ahmadzai
Kabul, Afghanistan – Neglecting children’s health and failing to administer timely vaccinations can significantly impact both the child and the family. As exemplified by the experience of Ainullah’s family, who are residents of the Khaki Jabbar district in Kabul.
29-year-old Ainullah, has a nine-year-old son named Rahmatullah, who has been afflicted with polio, has paralysis in both of his arms and legs.
While Ainullah has been grappling with poverty and economic challenges for years, his son’s struggle with polio has further compounded the difficulties in their lives.
He stated that he has five children, and tragically, his eldest child has been afflicted by polio, making him a burden on the shoulders of his family.
He told the story of his son contracting polio as follows, “Years ago, our home was situated in a remote area of the Khaki Jabbar district, an area frequently affected by conflict. Polio vaccination campaigns were inconsistent; sometimes they were conducted sometimes they weren’t. Regrettably, we did not prioritize timely vaccinations for our son, and it was during this time that my eldest son, Rahmatullah, contracted polio at the age of four.”
He added that his son had been experiencing a severe fever for several days. When he took him to a doctor for treatment, he was informed that his son had contracted polio, a disease that has no cure.
After a moment of silence, Ainullah expressed with deep sorrow, “That day felt like hell, and it made me cry profusely.”
Nine-year-old Rahmatullah, who contracted polio at the age of four, suffers from paralysis in both his arms and legs © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/ Hosai Ahmadzai
Nine-year-old Rahmatullah, who contracted polio at the age of four, suffers from paralysis in both his arms and legs.
He shared that his son had been bedridden for the past five years, a situation that has brought immense hardship to both him and the rest of the family.
He added, “Rahmatullah is unable to walk or play. He is dependent on his mother for even the most basic of functions. As a father, it pains me to think about his future. What will he do when he grows up?”
Reflecting on his own circumstances, the father of the mentioned child urges all parents to never neglect their children’s health. He emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children against not only polio but all diseases, ensuring their well-being, and protecting them from becoming burdens on the shoulders of their families and society.
Gul Bibi, the mother of polio-stricken Rahmatullah, says that her son’s illness deeply saddens her, and she feels helpless to change his situation.
“As a mother, observing the profound challenges my son encounters as a result of polio deeply saddens me. The disease has impacted him so severely that he relies on my assistance for everything from eating and drinking to using the toilet.”
She expresses that if she had known about her son’s illness, she would have taken him kilometers to receive vaccination. However, regret serves no purpose now.
She shares that when her son observes other children playing, he gazes at them with innocence and smiles at them. However, this deeply saddens her, leaving her with a profound sense of helplessness.
Gul Bibi urges mothers to prioritize their children’s health by ensuring timely vaccination, thereby safeguarding them from the debilitating effects of polio, and preventing them from suffering the same fate as her child.
All parents should cooperate in the vaccination of their children rather than being obstacles in the way of vaccination because, God forbid, if their child were to contract polio, they would miss out on life’s joys, causing enduring sadness.
Health experts say that polio has no cure and can only be prevented by vaccination.
One of these health experts is Dr. Muhammad Naseer Durani, who emphasizes that vaccination against polio and any other disease is vital for the healthy future of children. He states that every family should regularly vaccinate their children and protect them from polio and other diseases.
