Six-year-old Ismail enjoys playing cricket with his friend despite having one hand that is mostly paralyzed. The news that Ismail's condition was caused by polio contracted years ago was difficult for his family to accept.
Ismail's father said because his son's hands and legs are disabled. He cannot play with kids his age. We are devastated. He further said that his family is extremely worried since doctors have warned that Ismail's condition could get worse.
Despite wild poliovirus has been eradicated globally. Afghanistan remains one of the two countries where polio is still a medical concern, the other being Pakistan. The United Nations sees security and war as the main cause of polio in Afghanistan.
According to UNICEF spokesman Syed Kamal Shah, since the end of the war in Afghanistan, polio workers have gained access to all areas of Afghanistan, making it easier to eradicate the virus completely.
Ismail's father requested everyone from his community to make sure to give their children polio drops as Sharia allows humans to maintain their health.