How Khalida helps families in Karachi trust polio vaccination

Karachi, Sindh:

Khalida is easy to spot as she moves through her community on a four-wheel motorbike.

At 57, she supervises a team of female vaccinators in Karachi. She has worked with polio vaccination campaigns for many years. For the past three years, she has worked as a team supervisor.

Building Trust with Families

The community where Khalida works includes many families from tribal areas in the north-west of Pakistan.

In the past, many families did not trust people from outside their community. This also led some parents to refuse polio vaccination.

Khalida was already known in the area. Her work helped her build trust with families and address concerns about vaccination.

Today, all families in the area accept polio drops.

Reaching Every Child

Khalida and the vaccinators she supervises visit families regularly.

Her work has helped improve vaccination in the area. Across Pakistan, the proportion of vaccinated children increased from 85 per cent in August 2016 to 92 per cent in May 2017, according to independent post-campaign monitoring.

Khalida has also seen a clear change in her own community.

“In my community, the number of polio cases has decreased drastically. The progress is visible with the naked eye.”

She also praises the health workers on her team.

“In this regard the contribution of the frontline health workers I supervise is remarkable, as they work hard to ensure each and every child is protected from this crippling disease.”

A Motorbike Built for the Job

Khalida works across a large area. Summers can reach 40°C, and the rocky ground can make travel difficult.

To reach her team, she uses a special four-wheel motorbike. It can cross rough ground and helps her move quickly between communities.

People in the area have become used to seeing Khalida arrive on her motorbike. Her arrival has become a welcome sight.

A Personal Mission

For Khalida, vaccinating children is more than a job.

“Since I began working to end polio, I feel like I am a soldier. Just as an army fights to protect a country, similarly I fight against a virus which is disabling our beloved children. I will fight against this crippling disease until the virus is permanently eradicated and our beloved children are fully protected.”

She believes vaccination is important for building a healthy generation.

“Polio eradication is very important to have a healthy generation; as healthy generations, these children will be able to better serve the country.”

Khalida's story shows the value of trusted local health workers. Her knowledge of the community helps her team reach families and protect children.

For Khalida, the goal remains simple: reach every child, build trust with every family and help protect her community from polio.