I am a medical doctor whose life took a transformative turn just two years after joining Save the Children. I work in a remote region of northern Afghanistan, where accessing primary healthcare is a daily struggle. My mission is to serve the most underserved and vulnerable communities, often battling economic hardships and the devastating effects of natural disasters like droughts and floods. 

Recently, I was deployed as part of the emergency response team to the Baghlan province, which had been ravaged by catastrophic flooding. The devastation was widespread, with many families losing their homes, loved ones, farms, and livestock. In this crisis, I truly felt the weight and responsibility of being a frontline warrior. Our team worked tirelessly, 24/7, providing essential healthcare services to those in desperate need.

I witnessed heartbreaking scenes: children who had lost their fathers, now living with neighbours, a mother who had lost her entire family, with only one of her children surviving, and a father left completely alone. The emotional toll of working in such an intense environment is immense, but we have to find ways to cope and continue our vital work.

In the early days of the response, we were treating an average of 400 individuals daily, including many children. We provided outpatient services, wound care, emergency first aid, and psychosocial support. The majority of cases were trauma-related, with patients suffering injuries and severe pain caused by the disaster. Despite the overwhelming numbers, I was determined to ensure that every patient received the care they needed. My mindset was simple: we are here to serve, and I was prepared to push beyond my limits to ensure no one went untreated.

We dealt with a range of conditions, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, scabies, the common cold, and various skin diseases. Many patients would break down in tears, sharing their stories with us. I always offered compassion, counseling them personally or referring them to our counselor.

One of the most pressing challenges in these disaster-stricken areas is the lack of clean drinking water. The flooding had destroyed most of the water sources, leading to a surge in waterborne diseases. The need for proper WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions are critical to prevent further health crises.

Beyond being an aid worker, I am also a father and a husband. I have a 20-month-old son*. Working with the community has grown into a deep passion for me. I have brought my family to this village, which is a five-hour drive from the provincial centre. Though I am far from my original home, this place has now become my home.

I don’t take off days; I often work beyond my shift and even on my days off. I find special joy in working with people—the community knows and respects me, and it brings me immense satisfaction and happiness to provide them with the support they need. Off days are not my favourite, as we lack many facilities here. While I occasionally watch movies, which is rare, most of my time is spent with the community and patients. 

My greatest ambition is for every child and adult in Afghanistan to have access to healthcare within 5 to 10 minutes. I hope that health facilities will be equipped to provide comprehensive services so that patients can receive full treatment locally without needing referrals to provincial centres, the capital, or neighbouring countries.