When H. Salman Arifin was a child, his world was turned upside down when his youngest brother, Muhammad, was diagnosed with polio. Losing their father in 1974, Salman, his siblings, and their mother, Habibah, were already facing complex challenges. But the sudden illness of Muhammad added a new layer of hardship for the family. The fear and uncertainty of the illness weighed heavily on the family, creating psychological and economic ripples that touched the lives of many.
Salman vividly recalls the shock and fear when Muhammad developed a fever and was paralyzed just days later. Despite the challenges, Habibah, who is called Umi by her children, was determined to give her children the best possible care and embarked on a long and painful journey to help her son recover. She made the weekly trip to the nearest hospital in Bireuen, enduring the humiliation of traveling with strange men in a modified truck to ensure that Muhammad received the best medical treatment. As a religious teacher and widow of an ulama in Aceh, it was considered taboo for her to travel with men who were not her husband or close relatives.
Umi was a devoted mother who never gave up on her youngest son, Muhammad. Her unwavering love and dedication were evident in everything she did, even as she sold her precious jewelry and wedding gifts, a treasure for Aceh women, to support her family.
“We never knew about this, until Umi told us when we were grown up. She had to sell her wedding gift from our late father, which was the most precious jewelry she ever had. It was a reminder of her love, our late father. But she had no option because she had to feed us while taking care of Muhammad,” Salman said.
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Umi's story is a testament to the incredible sacrifices mothers make for their children and the strength and resilience of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. Her struggles and selflessness inspired Salman to fight against polio.
Today, Salman is one of those leading the fight against polio in Aceh Besar. He has been delivering his message to parents at every school in Aceh Besar, determined to motivate and educate the public, eliminate barriers to access, and support vaccinations to protect all children from this preventable disease.
Under Salman's leadership, the District Religious Office of Aceh Besar issued a letter to all Islamic schools to support supplementary immunization activities (SIA) in Aceh Besar. With all Islamic schools in Aceh Besar under his authority, this letter led to a significant improvement in vaccination coverage across the area.
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In Indonesia, polio continues to challenge those in poverty who often lack access to proper information and sanitation, perpetuating the vicious cycle of poverty. Families affected by polio must confront the stark reality of physical immobility along with the associated shame and social marginalization. But there is hope. We can end polio by providing children with full doses of polio vaccination and access to good sanitation, nutrition and education.
Umi's story is a reminder that the impact of polio extends beyond just physical limitation, as it creates psychological and economic effects that touch countless lives. It's a story of a mother's unwavering love and determination to do whatever it takes to ensure her child's survival, even if it meant breaking social norms and enduring humiliation. And it's a story of a son who, inspired by his mother's resilience and sacrifice, is determined to fight against polio and committed to ensuring that no other family endures the hardships they faced.
WHO gratefully acknowledges the financial contributions of GAVI, USAID, and the US CDC towards the polio outbreak response in Aceh.
Written by Salman Nursiwan