How frontline workers at the Kharlachi border help stop the spread of polio through vaccination
Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Every day, hundreds of people cross the Kharlachi border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. For most, it is part of their journey. For Kamran Ali Khan and his team, it is an opportunity to protect every traveller from polio.
As Supervisor of the Permanent Transit Point (PTP), Kamran leads a team of 16 health workers. Together, they vaccinate more than 300 travellers each day. They help ensure that people crossing the border are protected against polio before continuing their journey.
Protecting Travellers Every Day
The team works in two shifts from morning until the border closes. Every traveller passing through the crossing is offered the vaccine, regardless of age or gender.
“Raising awareness about polio is one of our biggest challenges,” said Kamran. “Our teams work hard every day to strengthen vaccination at the border. We ensure every traveller has the opportunity to receive the vaccine, while keeping accurate records of everyone we vaccinate.”
Their work is part of Pakistan's wider effort to ensure that people on the move continue to have access to life-saving vaccines.
Working Together Across Borders
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has established Permanent Transit Points at key border crossings across the country. These vaccination points help reach travellers, seasonal workers and others who may miss routine immunization.
By offering vaccination during travel, frontline workers help reduce the chance of children and families missing opportunities to stay protected against polio.
Every Vaccination Matters
Abdul Basit, Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says vaccination at border crossings plays an important role in the global effort to end polio.
“The virus has no boundaries. Vaccination at Permanent Transit Points and cross-border vaccination sites remains essential to supporting Pakistan and Afghanistan's shared efforts to eradicate polio.”
For Kamran and his team, every traveller they vaccinate is a step towards protecting communities on both sides of the border.
Their work happens at a busy border crossing. But its impact reaches far beyond. Every vaccine given brings Pakistan one step closer to a polio-free future.
