Irum Bano spent her days in UC Gandawa, Jhal Magsi, dedicated entirely to the quiet rhythm of raising her children. Like any mother, her world revolved around keeping her little ones safe from harm, pouring her heart into ensuring their well-being. Yet, a silent anxiety lingered. Fragmented rumors and deep-seated misconceptions about routine childhood immunisations filled her neighborhood, casting a shadow of doubt over her choices. She desperately wanted to protect her children, but the cloud of conflicting information left her frozen in hesitation.
Every time a vaccination drive was mentioned, Irum felt the ground beneath her feet give way to uncertainty. The widespread community hesitation gripped her mind, morphing a standard preventative health measure into an intimidating dilemma. “What if it harms them?” she would ask herself, trapped in the distress of wanting the best for her family but fearing the unknown.
In the remote expanses of Jhal Magsi, accessing reliable healthcare and accurate information was an uphill battle. The pressure of protecting her children from deadly illnesses while navigating a lack of guidance made the future look increasingly bleak. It was during this period of anxiety that Irum learned about the community engagement and awareness sessions being conducted in her area, a vital initiative brought by the Gavi-funded Routine Immunization project, implemented by the Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan.
Intrigued yet cautious, Irum attended one of the awareness sessions. There, she faced the health teams with questions. Instead of being dismissed, she was met with empathy. The health workers listened to her fears directly, patiently dismantling the myths that had dictated her choices for so long. The realisation hit her with a wave of profound relief, mixed with a touch of remorse for the time lost to fear, she finally understood that these vaccines were not a threat, but a safe and effective shield.
The relief of gaining clarity was accompanied by an empowering sense of purpose. She learned that routine immunisation was the essential key to protecting her children against 12 life-threatening diseases. By addressing her concerns openly, the project built the trust and confidence she desperately needed.
Today, the atmosphere in Irum’s household is transformed. She actively ensures her children receive their routine immunisations. With her limitations finally overcome, she feels a profound sense of security regarding her family’s well-being.
