The efforts of a widowed mother to safeguard children from polio
Abdul Sabour Sirat
Balkh, Afghanistan – 50-year-old Nazifa is a skilled volunteer and supervisor of the polio vaccination campaign. She has wholeheartedly dedicated the past ten years of her life to working with the polio eradication program in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.
Every day at 7:30 am, Nazifa leaves her home and heads to the designated areas of “Chughdak”, “Shoor Takzar”, and “Guzer Aliya” in Mazar-e-Sharif. Where she goes door-to-door, ensuring that every child receives the crucial polio vaccine.
Nazifa, who has studied up to twelfth grade, expresses: “As a widowed mother, the well-being of my country’s children holds immense significance to me. That’s why I actively participate in Afghanistan’s polio eradication program, volunteering to safeguard the lives of children.”
Nazifa leaves her home every day at 7:30 am, and heads to her designated areas, vaccinating children until evening © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Abdul Saboor Sirat
As a mother of four children, she takes great pleasure in not only caring for her children but also in extending her support to other children by providing them with polio vaccines.
“My enthusiasm and commitment to my job often lead me to leave home without having breakfast, as I need to monitor the volunteers and verify whether they have immunized the children in their designated areas,” she added.
She stated that her love for the country’s children is equal to that for her own, and that’s why their health is paramount to her. She strives to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to her for their safety.
She emphasizes that the involvement of imams and elders is crucial in eradicating this disease, and they always assist her in persuading reluctant families to vaccinate their children.
“I try to explain the benefits of vaccination to elders in families and convince them to vaccinate their children against the dangerous disease of polio,” she added.
Nazifa showing a photo of a child on her mobile phone, whose family agreed to vaccination as a result of her efforts © Polio free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Abdul Saboor Sirat
Nazifa emphasizes the importance of vaccination, stating, “Polio has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination. I implore family elders to vaccinate their children regularly and safeguard them from permanent disability.”
Noor Muhammad, the Sheriff of the Chaghdak area of Mazar-e-Sharif city, acknowledges and appreciates the tireless efforts of polio vaccine volunteers in preventing the spread of polio. He urges families to cooperate with these volunteers by ensuring their children receive vaccination.
Noor Muhammad states, the polio virus is dangerous and can cause death or paralysis in children under the age of five. I always try to go door-to-door with Nazifa sister and help her convince hesitant families to vaccinate their children.
He reiterated the importance of the polio vaccine, stating that two drops of the polio vaccine, administered to children at home or at health centers, is the only way to prevent this perilous disease.
