Polio Prevention: Tireless Efforts of Vaccinators in Guzara District

Herat, Afghanistan – Pari Gul Mohammadi, wearing a white coat and a green mask, walks among the children who have come for vaccination. One by one, she gently administers two drops of the polio vaccine into each child’s mouth, responding warmly to the mothers’ smiles. This 38-year-old woman has a significant responsibility at the health center in Guzara district, Herat: protecting children from the paralyzing poliovirus.

 

Pari Gul as a Vaccinator

Pari Gul Mohammadi, who studied midwifery, has worked in this field for nearly 15 years. For the past five years, she has served as a vaccinator at the Guzara district health center in Herat.

Each day, between 150 and 200 children under the age of five are brought to this health center for vaccination.

Some of these children are brought from remote villages and districts like Adraskan, Pashtun Zarghun, Injil, and even Herat city, all to receive two drops of the vaccine to protect them from the devastating consequences of polio.

“In addition to vaccinating children, I also inform mothers about the benefits of the polio vaccine,” Pari Gul said.

Many of the women who travel from far-flung villages to this health center have no knowledge of polio, but this compassionate vaccinator patiently explains that vaccination is the only way to protect children from this dangerous disease.

 

Fighting Misconceptions

Pari Gul, who faces many challenges in her work, states: “Mothers have different views about the polio vaccine. Some view it as essential for their children, while others believe it harms their health.”

What all mothers share, however, is their deep care for their children’s health. This shared concern motivates Pari Gul to continue her challenging mission.

 

Pari Gul Mohammadi, wearing a white coat and a green mask, walks among the children who have come for vaccination. One by one, she gently administers two drops of the polio vaccine into each child’s mouth, responding warmly to the mothers’ smiles © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Marzia Frotan

 

Ultimate Goal: Preventing Polio

Pari Gul Mohammadi and her three female colleagues work tirelessly at the Guzara Health Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, with one primary goal: to prevent the spread of the poliovirus and protect the next generation from this debilitating disease.

“Each day, we vaccinate nearly 200 children. Over the span of a month, this number reaches thousands, saving them from the risk of paralysis,” she said.

Rukhsar Ahmadi, Pari Gul’s colleague, stands beside her in this effort. She noted that with the growing awareness among people, more and more children are being brought to the health center for vaccination each day.

According to Ahmadi, this health center is on the frontline in the fight against polio, and every child vaccinated is a step toward defeating the virus.

 

Saving Children: Mothers’ Hopes

Among the mothers who came to the health center was 32-year-old Khairiya, who had brought her one-year-old son from a distant village for the polio vaccine.

She views the polio vaccine as her son’s savior. Khairiya, who is uneducated, learned about the importance of the polio vaccine through Pari Gul and other vaccinators.

“There are a few young individuals in our village who were paralyzed as children because they didn’t receive the polio vaccine. Now that I know why, I don’t want my children to end up like them,” she said, with concern.

Every month, despite the long journey, Khairiya brings her son to the health center for vaccination. For her, her child’s health is more important than anything.

Her words reflect the success of Pari Gul and her fellow vaccinators’ efforts.

 

A Hopeful Outcome

With the rising awareness among the people of Herat, the number of children receiving vaccines increases each day. Although no polio cases have been recorded in the province over the past three years, many families remain concerned about the potential threat of the disease.

In areas inaccessible to vaccinators, many families take their children to nearby health centers for vaccination.

Pari Gul Mohammadi and her colleagues continue their work with growing dedication and determination, regularly vaccinating children.

They understand that vaccination is the only hope for a future where no child suffers from this debilitating disease.

 

By Marzia Frotan, Polio Free Afghanistan