The healthcare system in Afghanistan, which already suffers from shortage of specialized doctors and sufficient facilities, has been critically wounded by the economic crisis and the lack of funding to public health care institutions. The current situation has created an even greater need for access to health services for the Afghan population.
It has been common practice for Afghan patients to travel to Pakistan for treatment, but this has changed during the last few years. Technically, Pakistan is still allowing patients from Afghanistan to seek medical treatment in the country, but after the Taliban takeover the protocols for going into Pakistan has tightened. The requirements for valid travel documents as well as reinforced visa rules, have made transit much more complicated.
This has resulted in long queues and congestion of patients in areas close to Pakistan. As a response to this situation NAC recently finished the construction of a new waiting room building in the Dand Aw Patan District of the Paktia Province. The new waiting room, will contribute to the safety and comfort of those travelling to Pakistan for health treatments.
Pressing Need for Waiting Rooms for Patients
Earlier there were no facilities available for patients with severe illness when crossing the Durand line to Pakistan. This building has four well-equipped rooms – two for female patients and two for male patients. The patients in the waiting room building receive life-saving support if needed, until they can travel to Pakistan.
Well-equipped waiting rooms.
Dr. Majroom Haqyar, the NAC head of the Institute of Health Sciences in Paktia, stated that “this waiting room was constructed for the patients who go to Pakistan for treatment, but can’t cross the border due to rain, uncertain weather conditions, or late arrival to the border. The female and male nurses provide life-saving support to such patients. Furthermore, the waiting room building has adequate facilities such as beds, medicine, and other healthcare equipment”.
“This waiting room was constructed for the patients who go to Pakistan for treatment, but can’t cross the border due to rain, uncertain weather conditions, or late arrival to the border. The female and male nurses provide life-saving support to such patients. Furthermore, the waiting room building has adequate facilities such as beds, medicine, and other healthcare equipment”
– Dr. Majroom Haqyar, the NAC head of the Institute of Health Sciences in Paktia
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The area between Afghanistan and Pakistan is a mountainous region where no clinics, restaurants, or shops are available, and patients are accordingly faced with various challenges when they are traveling to Pakistan. The local population say that the new waiting room will facilitate a comfortable stay for those passing through on their difficult journeys. Abdul Ghani, a community leader, said that “we are grateful to NAC for building this waiting room. We no longer face the previous challenges and can safely take our patients to Pakistan”.
Sultan Wazir, another community leader, added that “we appreciate that NAC works in hard-to-reach areas providing life-saving support for communities deprived of basic necessities”. NAC is also supporting a health clinic based in Dand Aw Patan District, where qualified midwives provide health care services to mothers and babies.
Source: Critically ill Afghans suffer as Taliban tighten Pakistan border | Global development | The Guardian
