In its efforts to immunize children against Polio in South Waziristan Agency, Prime Foundation came across the case of Maryam Bibi, a resident of a remote village named Greezai of Tehsil Sarwakai. Maryam a 7 year old girl with both legs completely paralyzed, is the daughter of Gul Muhammad who is a labor working in Karachi to support his family.
During their visit Prime Foundation’s team met a local community member Mr. Tamin Khan who acted as a communicator between the team members and Maryam’s mother. According to Maryam’s mother “At birth Maryam was quite healthy and normal, she also learned to walk but at the age of 3 her legs suddenly became paralyzed. We consulted with the local physician and religious elders but to no use. According to the physician the cause of Maryam’s illness was that she was never vaccinated or immunized against Polio.”
Talking to Sabir Ahmed (Survey Enumerator, Prime Foundation), Tamin Khan said “We have no access to healthcare facilities near the village area and unfortunately neither Government nor Non-Government organizations have done anything in this regard.”
“It’s a miracle to see Prime Foundation working in our village, holding medical camps and providing vaccination and free medical services to mothers and children” he further added. Before leaving, Prime Foundation’s representatives informed Mr. Tamin Khan about the upcoming free medical camps and asked him to spread the word among the local community so that their children can benefit.
