Tireless Steps: The Fight Against Polio in Khost

"A volunteer’s dedication and fight transforms the future of hundreds of children."

Khost, Afghanistan - For the past four years, 35-year-old Mohammad Saber has been serving as an active polio vaccinator in Khwaja Khel village, located in the Molakhel area of Farm Bagh, central Khost province.

With partial higher education, he currently serves on Team Five of Cluster 22, where he is responsible for vaccinating children in the areas surrounding Farm Bagh.

When he first started this work, earning local community trust wasn’t easy. But through gentle communication, respectful conduct, and continuous public awareness efforts, Mohammad Saber gradually helped people understand the dangers of polio and importance of the vaccine.

"Families that once rejected the vaccine now eagerly bring their children to be vaccinated," says Mohammad Saber. "They now understand that it’s the only way to protect their children from polio."

"Today, there isn’t a single family in his area of responsibility that refuses to vaccinate their children."

Mohammad Saber is proud to see how awareness has grown within the community and hopes that, through continued collective efforts, polio will one day be eradicated entirely from society.

From Doubt to Understanding

Shafiqullah is one of the many fathers who was once hesitant to vaccinate his children. But thanks to Saber’s persistent efforts and the reassurance provided by doctors, his mindset gradually changed.

"I had heard that the vaccine could harm children," he says. "But after speaking with Saber and other volunteers, I realized those were just misconceptions. Now I’m glad that I vaccinate my children regularly."

Shafiqullah adds that the polio vaccine has been approved by international health organizations and has helped prevent this deadly and paralyzing disease in many countries. He emphasizes that Afghanistan is part of the global community, and people should support vaccinators in delivering the vaccine to every child because they are the true servants of society.

 © Polio Free Afghanistan | 2024

Mohammad Saber administers the polio vaccine to a child in Khwaja Khel village.

Teamwork, Trust, and Progress

Mohammad Saber vaccinates more than 80 children every day and provides information and awareness to families who still have doubts about the vaccine.

His colleague, Noor Ali Shah, also says that in recent times, the number of families in Khost holding negative views about the vaccine has decreased.

He says, "People’s awareness has increased. Most families now understand that vaccination is the only way to protect their children from polio."

However, he notes that there are still families in the province who refuse to vaccinate their children. Therefore, public awareness efforts must continue—that is our priority.

Though Khost province experiences hot summers, making work in the heat extremely challenging, Saber and his colleagues continue their work with dedication and enthusiasm.

They strive to keep the vaccine below a certain temperature, because in every drop, they see a vision of a brighter, polio-free Afghanistan.

 © Polio Free Afghanistan | 2024

Mohammad Saber with his colleague during a polio vaccination campaign.

Voice of the Community: Unity and Responsibility

Lahor Jan, a community activist in Farm Bagh, praises the volunteers’ efforts, saying, "We are fortunate to have the chance to protect ourselves from a devastating disease like polio with just two drops of vaccine. This is a major achievement."

Lahor Jan urges parents not to be negligent and to ensure their children are vaccinated during every campaign.

"This is not only about protecting children’s lives-it is also a path to securing a future for the entire community."

He emphasizes the need for support from aid organizations, religious scholars, community elders, and youth, adding: "Only through unity, collective effort, and shared responsibility can we win the fight against polio."