The Unyielding Fight of a Dedicated Khosti Youth against Polio

Khost, Afghanistan – In the Ismail Khel and Mandozai districts of Khost province—where many families once refused to vaccinate their children—a young man named Azimullah Ashna is undertaking a challenging yet crucial mission as the coordinator of multiple polio vaccination teams.

At 28 years old, Ashna is a graduate of the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Sheikh Zayed University. For the past ten years, he has dedicated himself to this significant responsibility.

Through his relentless efforts, he has safeguarded thousands of children in this region from the threat of the poliovirus, securing a healthier and brighter future for them.

 

The Start of the Struggle

Azimullah Ashna embarked on his fight against polio in these districts years ago, at a time when many families lacked awareness about the dangers of the disease and the importance of vaccination, often refusing to immunize their children.

“Back then, some people not only refused to vaccinate their own children but also spread misinformation about the polio vaccine to others. However, I made it my mission to change such mindsets,” he recalls.

 

Changing People’s Perceptions

For this fight, Ashna did not rely solely on administering vaccines. Instead, during every campaign, he organized public awareness sessions with mosque imams, tribal leaders, and other influential community figures. He presented them with scientific evidence and shared the stories of families whose children had been paralyzed due to not receiving the vaccine.

This was no easy task for Ashna and his team. At times, they faced opposition and even encountered obstacles deliberately placed in their way. However, their relentless efforts gradually yielded results.

Ashna and his colleagues made it a priority to understand the reasons behind every refusal. If a family was concerned about health risks, they brought medical professionals to address their fears. If someone harbored religious doubts, they would seek the assistance of local religious scholars to provide reassurance.

As a result of these efforts, families like that of Jannat Gul Mangal—who had refused to vaccinate their children for years—were finally convinced.

Today, Jannat Gul not only vaccinates his own children during every campaign, but he also encourages his neighbors to do the same.

“When we explained the dangers of polio to Jannat Gul, he became convinced. Now, he is an active supporter who participates in our public awareness sessions and helps educate people about the importance of vaccination,” Ashna says.

Similarly, Haji Hamidullah, a local leader who once harbored doubts about the vaccine, changed his mindset due to Ashna’s persistent efforts. On the first day of the campaign, he brought his grandchildren to be vaccinated and urged others to do the same.

Haji Hamidullah himself remarks, “I used to think the vaccine might harm our children. But when I heard the stories of children who were paralyzed due to polio, I realized its importance. Now, I stand alongside Ashna in every campaign, advising families to take their children’s health seriously and vaccinate them against polio.”

 

Ashna is a living example of the fight against polio—a young man who has set aside personal comfort for the greater good of his community and dedicated his life to safeguarding the health of its children. © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2025

 

Hope for a Brighter Future

The relentless efforts of Azimullah Ashna and his team have brought significant change to the Ismail Khel and Mandozai districts of Khost province. Their continuous struggle has gradually reduced opposition to vaccination and have helped prevent the spread of the poliovirus.

Now, children in the region—once at risk of paralysis—happily play with their friends, attend school, and are seen as the future hope of their families.

Reflecting on this transformation, Ashna says, “When I see parents bringing their children for vaccination during campaign days, I feel immense joy. It reassures me that our years of hard work have not been in vain. Every vaccinated child feels like a great victory to me.”

But Ashna and his colleagues’ journey is far from over. During every campaign, he continues to work alongside his team, raising awareness and ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated.

His ultimate hope is that one day, Afghanistan will be declared polio-free, and every child will grow up without the threat of paralysis.

Ashna is a living example of the fight against polio—a young man who has set aside personal comfort for the greater good of his community and dedicated his life to safeguarding the health of its children.

“I believe that if we all unite, one day we will consign polio to history. That day will be the greatest victory for all of us.”