Irfanullah – the heroic polio worker saving Pakistan’s future generations

'Praise for polio workers is always welcome but we must not lose sight of the mission to end polio in Pakistan'

PESHAWAR: Arduous work conditions, looming security threats, pitiful compensation and a lack of appreciation.

This, unfortunately, remains the reality braved by Pakistan’s polio vaccinators as they tirelessly pursue their mission of eradicating the deadly virus.

Recent events, though, offer a glimmer of hope for polio workers in Pakistan as the commitment of one dedicated vaccinator has garnered global attention.

The individual in question is 23-year-old Irfanullah, a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district, whose rise to prominence was fuelled by social media.

A viral video of Irfanullah trudging through waist-deep snow in K-P’s Bashegram area to administer polio drops to children has been viewed by hundreds of thousands on Twitter and Facebook.



Shot and uploaded by a friend, the viral video earned Irfanullah worldwide acclaim after it was posted on the social media pages of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef).

At home, Irfanullah and a few of his fellow vaccinators were honoured by Prime Minister Imran Khan in a special meeting at the PM House on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the premier took to Twitter to praise Irfanullah and the thousands of other vaccinators working for a polio-free Pakistan. “Irfan is one of 260,000 heroes who reach out to children with polio vaccines in extreme weather conditions. His viral video has left every individual with a sense of awe and pride. This dedication is what will enable us [Pakistan] to achieve our goal of a polio-free nation #SalamPolioWorker,” the PM tweeted.

For Irfanullah, the praise and adoration are welcome but he insists that it must not take away from the urgency of the mission to end polio in Pakistan.

The soft-spoken native of a village in Madyan, Swat, is a member of a team of vaccinators at the Chail Health Centre.

In a chat with Express Tribune, Irfanullah says that he makes it a point to enlist for every vaccination drive in the district. “I grew up in a mountainous area. This rugged landscape and harsh weather conditions are not new to me. However, there has been excessive rainfall and snow this season which did make things a bit trickier for us.”



Asked about the particular day the viral video was shot, Irfanullah says he was just performing his duty. “Fame and recognition have never been my objectives. I could not even imagine getting the kind of attention I have received over recent days.”

However, he admits that the appreciation does feel good after years of toiling away in obscurity. “I and all my colleagues are elated that our efforts are being valued by the world. We hope this will boost Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio. It is our desire to see the end of polio not just in Pakistan, but the entire world.”

Irfanullah’s dedication has also garnered him praise from the people of his native district, Swat.

“Hardworking and patriotic people like Irfanullah are an asset for Pakistan. They are a source of pride for us all. Now the government must do its part and ensure that Irfanullah and the thousands of other vaccinators are given good salaries and other basic privileges,” says a local resident, Barkat Ali.