Polio workers do not get enough credit, to be honest.
A video of a polio worker braving incredibly cold weather to make sure he reached children who needed to be vaccinated recently went viral.
A polio vaccinator in Pakistan risks severe cold weather and several feet of snow to reach out to families with children living in remote mountainous areas in the country's north
Via @PakFightsPolio pic.twitter.com/FrP65es2rK
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) January 28, 2019
As temperatures drop lower, the country’s northern regions grow colder and are experiencing some heavy snowfall, it gets harder and harder to access certain areas.
However, in this video, Irfan, a polio worker can be seen braving the cold winds and snow to get to children who need their polio vaccines.
People immediately were in awe of Irfan and his dedication to his job.
He has such incredible commitment to not only a humanitarian cause but also the duty he has been entrusted with. 🇵🇰
— Saira Mehreen Abbasi (@Saira_M_Abbasi) January 28, 2019
Very commendable effort…..May he be blessed….Aameen
— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) January 28, 2019
A responsible, and a honest person, Salute to him.
— Hafiz Muhammad Sarfraz Hussain (@HafizMu58009070) January 28, 2019
And of course, there were certain government officials who took notice of Irfan’s bravery and dedication as well, including Babar Atta who is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s focal person for polio.
He recognized and told everyone Irfan’s name.
I have reached this man just a short while ago. His name is Irfan Ullah and he is from Bisham (Swat). Have invited him for Lunch at PM office (from my own pocket 🙄 as no official lunches allowed). Will InshaAllah do whatever is possible for this courageous young man. https://t.co/w381hN2ruo
— Babar Atta (@babarbinatta) January 28, 2019
And Babar Atta was not the only person who recognized Irfan’s dedication, Prime Minister Imran Khan himself met and appreciated Irfan.
He tweeted about Irfan and how he is one of the 260,000 people who are dedicated to eradicating polio from the country.
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 & pride. This dedication is what will enable us to achieve our goal of a polio free nation #SalamPolioWorker pic.twitter.com/4wPBxIDUDz
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 31, 2019
And people were ecstatic about Prime Minister Imran Khan recognizing Irfan.
Now each pakistani is proud of him. Because our greatest leader is proud of him.
May Allah give you long life…..The best and happy leader.— Abdullahzeb Ihsan (@AbdullahzebI) January 31, 2019
Thank you for taking time out to appreciate and encourage Pakistan's true heroes.
— Soraya Aziz (@SorayaAziz) January 31, 2019
Great 👍..Finally & Thankfully Pakistan has now got a Prime Minister who truly give recognition & appreciation to real heros of Pakistan unlike previous PMs who never recognized such heros for thr efforts & were busy only highlight their own kids for nothing..Salaam Pakistan 🇵🇰
— Durrani (@iamDurrani1) January 31, 2019
It’s great to see the real heroes of Pakistan being appreciated by the Prime Minister himself. And truly, let’s hope polio is soon a thing of the past in Pakistan. And with people like Irfan at the helm of the initiative, I think I can believe that this might happen.
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Cover image source: @imrankhanPTI via Twitter.com