[News]

Drug abuse and drug addiction are main problems of health in our society 2008-06-29 source: Click here Around 920000 Afghans use drugs, 80% of them are male, 13% are female and 7% are children Kabul, 28 June 2008: Demand Reduction Action Teams (DRAT) of MoPH through proper delivery of services have brought positive changes and improvements in the reduction of demand for the drugs. The main causes of drug addiction in the country are poverty, illiteracy, war, migrations, illusions about drugs, close contact of youths with drug users, war disabilities, joblessness, mankind curiosity and others. During last year more than 4547 male, female and children drug addicts are treated and around 25500 individuals from different crusts of the society particularly those who were exposed to drugs, got aware about the risks of the drugs and risk behaviours. Most of the drug users are returnees from the neighbouring countries Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan. Mainly they are settled in border provinces of Badakhshan, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Balkh, Jozjan, Nimroz, Farah, Kunduz, Khost and Helmand. �Drug Demand Reduction Department of MoPH has two 20 bed drug addict treatment hospitals in Balkh and Nangarhar provinces. There are also 8 community based treatment centres in eight provinces of the country - Jawzjan, Faryab, Kunduz, Bamyan, Ghazni, Ghor, Farah and Nimroz. These projects have helped the problems of the drug users and their families to lead a drug-free, healthy and economically productive life, prevent at-risk groups from starting to use drugs and reduce the harms related to drug abuse. In particular it will prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B&C among Afghan population� said His Excellency Dr Faizullah Kakar Acting Minister of Public Health. The main objective of Drug Demand Reduction department of MoPH is to empower Afghan communities to effectively reduce the demand for drugs and combat drug abuse problems paving the way for a drug free Afghanistan, durable peace and sustainable development. Certain achievements gained so far by MoPH Drug Demand Reduction department are that approximately all prisoners were covered on drug abuse treatment in last 9 months in 14 provinces of the country, also MoPH Drug Demand Reduction department got Afghanistan membership of DDR Department Committee located in Indonesia. Countrywide insecurity esp. in districts level, lack of professional staff in drug demand reduction particularly in treatment, counseling and raising public awareness, lack of access to remote areas of the country during winter are main challenges towards the Drug Demand Reduction program. Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af


UNFPA provides 14 Mobile Health Units (MHU) to 20 districts in 5 provinces with a total cost of USD3.81 million Deployment of these 14 mobile clinic the families will be having easy access to the services and it will definitely improve health status of women and children in those 20 districts 2008-06-17 source: Click here Kabul, 17 June 2008: MoPH-UNFPA programme introduces 14 mobile health units during the current year to cover 20 districts in five focus provinces, namely Badakhshan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Fariab and Logar. The MHU would act as a link between the community and the health facility and would ensure that every person, especially all pregnant mothers, living in these 20 districts receive basic health services and facilitate referral wherever required. �Maternal and Child Health is a very important priority for the Ministry of Public Health. Healthy development of a nation depends on better health of its women and children. Therefore investment in maternal and child health is investment for the prosperity of a nation� said Dr. Faizullah Kakar, Acting Minister of Public Health. �One of the challenges towards service delivery in regard to maternal and child health is access to health services by the families. With the deployment of these 14 mobile clinic the families will be having easy access to the services and it will definitely improve health status of women and children in those 20 districts� he added. The MHU will provide ante-natal and immunisation services disseminate health education and provide supportive guidance to the CHW and other health functionaries at the community level. The MHU will visit a nodal point, which a village accessible to the vehicle, on a fixed day of the month. Each such nodal point will receive one or more visits from the MHU depending on the area of coverage. The nodal point is fixed to ensure that all villages in the catchment are less than two hour walking distance from the MHU visit centre (annex 4). Each MHU will include one midwife, one female doctor, one health educator (preferably a nurse) and one driver. The capital cost of 14 MHUs is around USD 580,000 and the annual operating cost is around USD 250,000. The total investment of UNFPA in these 20 districts during 2008 is around USD2.98 million in addition to the above cost. MoPH and UNFPA conduct continuous monitoring of the Reproductive Health Services and MHU activities in the field. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: +93(0)700-276-340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af


Care for eye and prevention of blindness are priorities of public health in Afghanistan 400 000 people are blind and every year around 25000 Afghans loose vision in one of their eyes 2008-06-16 source: Click here Kabul, Jun 16, 2008: Eye diseases and blindness are common and a public health problem in Afghanistan. An estimate of 400 000 people are blind (around 1.5 � 2% of the population in Afghanistan), more than 90% of blindness is avoidable (preventable & curable), main causes of blindness in Afghanistan which are counted the main eye problems as well, are reported to be cataract, corneal opacity (due to trachoma and vitamin A deficiency), refractive error, glaucoma and trauma and every year around 25000 Afghans loose vision in one of their eyes. Studies show that blindness is more common in females than in males. Eye care services are limited to few major cities � Nangarhar, Takhar and Herat. With around 14 thousand cataract surgeries performed annually at national level, which is far below the incidence rate of 50000, there are a huge number of cataract backlogs. The only way to reduce some of the backlogs is through the outreach program and the cost of cataract surgery is very reasonable around US $50 (with Intra Ocular Lens). Cataract surgery is one of the most cost effective, sights restoring health intervention. Trachoma remains a public health problem in some areas of the country while eye injury is also another problem due to mining and gunshot wounds. There are certain needs that have to be developed and they are: the capacity building of eye care of the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan to reduce blindness, develop human resources for eye care in Afghanistan, increase the cataract surgical output outreach program, integrate primary eye care within the primary health care programme (BPHS) and expansion of eye care to the underserved rural and provincial hospitals. Luckily, there are substantial gains we have achieved in a period of 6 years from 2001 to 2007. Cataract surgical rate has increased from 256 per million population in 2001 to 610 per million population in 2007, Intra Ocular Lens Implantation has increased from 47.3 % in 2001 to 74 % in 2007 and number of eye doctors has increased from 79 to 118 within above mentioned period. Also some achievements in different aspects pertaining to the eye care have been achieved, for instance the approval of a National Committee and Task Force Committee for prevention of blindness, launch of VISION 2020 program (VISION 2020 the right to sight is a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness all over the world by 2020 and developed a five year national plan on from 2002 in Afghanistan), 5 eye care centers are equipped with modern equipments, sight of 3000 cataract patients restored free of charge, 10 ophthalmologists trained in clinical and community ophthalmology in Pakistan and 10000 students were screened for refractive error and the correction of refractive error was done via glasses. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ For more information you could call spokesperson of MoPH: Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: +93(0)700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af


National Day for Making Motherhood Safe Is Celebrated in Afghanistan Around 19,000 Afghan mothers die each year during pregnancy, childbirth and 42 days after delivery 2008-06-15 source: Click here Kabul, 15 Jun 2008: Afghanistan has the second highest Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the world with a mortality of 1,600 per100, 000 live births. There is no current data available, but the mortality must have been reduced with the increasing coverage of health services for women at district level. The Afghan National Development Strategy has set a target of 75% reduction in the MMR by the end of 2020. Because of the expansion of health services for women and children at district level the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has been reduced from 165/1,000 live birth in 2001 to 129/1,000 live birth in 2006. The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U-5-MR) has been reduced from 257 per 1,000 live births to 191 per 1,000 live births in the same time. �Maternal death is a big tragedy to a family. Children, whose mothers have died, are ten times more at risk of dying comparing to children who are cared and fed by their own mothers. Maternal deaths bring poverty to families and poor families contribute to the general poverty in Afghanistan� said Dr. Faizullah Kakar, Acting Minister of Public Health. �Although substantial gains have been made in the last 6 years, there are still certain challenges towards service provision in regard to maternal health. These are inadequate number of midwives at district level, few female obstetricians in rural settings, geographical disparity in health care provision, dispersed population, delay in seeking care at family level, illiteracy and insecurity� he added. Afghan Health Survey shows improvement in the maternal health indicators in the last six years with the provision of quality health care services to women in rural and urban areas in Afghanistan. Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) has increased from 5.1% in 2002 to 15.5% in 2007. Skilled Ante Natal Care contacts have also increased from 4.6% in 2002 to 18.9% in 2007 and skilled attendants at delivery increased from 6% to 18.9%. National Safe Motherhood Day was celebrated for the first time in October 2006 in Kabul and 8 provinces. This year National Safe Motherhood Day is celebrated nationally by the Ministry of Public Health under the theme of Pregnancy and Delivery are special events, let�s make them safe. Ministry of Public Health work closely with the health stakeholders like UN agencies- UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO, donors like the World Bank, the USAID, European Commission, JICA, and NGO�s for the improvement of the maternal and newborn health in Afghanistan. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: +93(0 )700-276-340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af


MoPH with assistance of Government of United Arab Emirate (UAE) is establishing three Haemodialysis centers in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar 2008-06-10 source: Click here Kabul, Jun 09, 2008: For the first time in Afghanistan with the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health and the humanitarian assistance of the government of United Arab Emirates haemodialysis centers, first in Kabul and then in two mostly populated zones of the country, Balkh and Kandahar, will be established. It�s worth mentioning that some Afghans who suffer from kidney diseases, need to be haemodialyzed and to do this they go to neighboring countries which costs them very expensive, because they are accompanied by their families. According to information there is only one haemodialysis machine in a private hospital in the country which is not adequate to solve the problems of all patients. On daily basis this hospital treats 10 to 15 patients. �With the establishment of these centers not only the needs of the country will be resolved, but also will prevent the patients from going to foreign countries for the treatment and will prevent them from their huge economic wasting. In future these centers will be upgraded to Investigative Centers for Kidney Diseases and Centers for Kidney Transplantation� said Dr. Faizullah Kakar the Acting Minister of the Public Health. Almost one and a half year ago the government of UAE promised to help MoPH with 22 machines for haemodialysis, that only 11 haemodiaylsis machines and one photocopier at that time were (hand, submitted) to MoPH. MoPH on 29/05/2007 for the proper use of these machines (designed, established) a project and as the project coordinator recruited an experienced doctor. On 31/05/2007 the working plan of the project was prepared and approved by the leadership of the Ministry of the Public Health. 11 machines of haemodialysis were set up at 1st floor of males� dormitory in Ghazanfar Institute of Health Sciences in Kabul. Besides, having no place for these machines was a major problem of this project, for which MoPH is in close contact with the brother government of UAE in order to construct appropriate places for the setup of these machines in Kabul and as well in some provinces. The Minister of Public Health Dr. S. M. Amin Fatimie on 27/02/2008 had a meeting with the charge d�ffairs of the UAE Embassy here in Kabul and mutually agreed on following four issues: 1. UAE government will submit 11 machines of hemodylsis for running two centers at two zones of the country Balkh and Kandahar. 2. The government of UAE will send its technical staff to Afghanistan to train Afghan personnel. 3. Three months supplies and medicines for these centers and solutions for these machines will be provided by the government of UAE. 4. Technical engineers of UAE will be responsible for the setup of these machines Based on the prior appointment with Ministry of Public Health, UAE has transferred 11 remaining machines plus three months supplies for these machines to Kabul. Today this container will be submitted to the Ministry of Public Health. These machines are made in Italy and each costs around US$140,000 USD. The first time charges for each patient is 6000 AFS, while later these charges will be reduced to 3000 AFS. Blood of the patients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency will be haemodialyised twice to three times weekly and will take 4 to 5 hours each time. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af


Patients with watery diarrhea have been treated by the health staff of Kandahar Province 2008-06-04 source: Click here Patients with watery diarrhea have been treated by the health staff of Kandahar Province So far there are 155 cases of watery diarrhea with unconfirmed 8 deaths Kabul, 4 June 2008: An outbreak of watery diarrheal disease started on 25 May 2008 in Badenzai, Shafizai and Meryani villages of Spinboldak district of Kandahar province. So far there are 155 cases of watery diarrhea in the district. After the medical interventions strengthened in the district, no case has been reported since 3 June 2008. The first case was reported on 25 May 2008 from Badenzai, Shafizai and Meryani villages of Spinboldak district of Kandahar province bordering Pakistan. The source of water in the mentioned villages is Karez. The population of the mentioned villages is around the 5558. Patients presenting at hospitals were treated with antibiotics and rehydrated with intravenous infusions and oral rehydration solution. Patients responded positively to the treatment. According to the community elders, around 8 cases, 3 under 5 and 5 over 5 children and adults have died of the disease. However, the deaths are not recorded by the health facility. Extra health teams were sent to the area from Kandahar and helped in the investigation and treatment of all cases in the area. The elders were met by the health teams and were taught on how to prevent the disease by observing the simple preventive measures. Chlorination of water source was done and chlorine tablets were distributed among the villagers to chlorinate their drinking water. Adequate drug supplies were distribution to the health centers and District Hospital in Spinboldak. Disease Early Warning System is proactively observing the development in this regard. �Ministry of Public Health is assuring people in Spinboldak and other parts of the country that we are on alert, vigilant and responding urgently and properly to all health issues, including diarrhea, in all corners of the country. We encourage all health personnel working at district levels to strengthen their health education activities, provide right information to the people, inform DEWS of any big changes in the occurrence of infectious diseases in there catchment areas� said Dr. S.M. Amin Fatimie, Minister of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af fahima777@yahoo.com


Smoking Prevalence is 35.9% for Boys and 14.5% for Girls in Schoolchildren of 5 Provinces of Afghanistan 2008-06-01 source: Click here Kabul, 31 May 2008: Today, the World No Tobacco Day, urges government to protect the young people by imposing a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. This year�s campaign focuses on the multi-billion dollar efforts of tobacco companies to attract young people to its addictive products through sophisticated marketing. Recent studies prove that the more young people are exposed to tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to start smoking. Despite this, only 5% of the world�s population is covered by comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. �The working framework for convention on tobacco control developed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in 2007, ratified by the parliament and signed by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is explicitly asking a ban on smoking in Public Places, on tobacco advertising and promotion and requesting Ministry of Trade to reduce importation of cigarette. MoPH is urging all concerned ministries and non-governmental organizations to help in the implementation of this convention� said Dr. Said Mohammad Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.. Since most people start smoking before the age of 18, and almost a quarter of those before the age of 10, tobacco companies market their products wherever youth can be easily accessed � in the movies, on the Internet, in fashion magazines and at music and sports venues. In a WHO study of 13 to 15-year-olds in schools worldwide, more than 55% of students reported seeing advertisements for cigarettes on billboards in the previous month, while 20% owned an item with logo of a cigarette brand on it. A Global Youth Tobacco Survey was done in 2004 among schoolchildren in Kabul, Logar, Parwan, Wardak and a Ningarhar provinces revealed that 50% of youth purchase cigarettes for themselves or their elders from shops without being refused because of their ages. Smoking prevalence was 35.9% for boys and 14.5% for girls. 64% of them have watched cigarette promotion advertisement. 70% of them were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke). 50% of them do not smoke but are exposed to secondhand smoke. 21% of them have smoked for the first time at 10 years age. 10% of boys smoke. 8% of boys and girls have tendency to smoking. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af fahima777@yahoo.com


Dasht-I-Barchi Training Center is upgrading competencies of Health Professional for better delivery of Maternal and Child Health Care 2008-05-28 source: Click here Dasht-I-Barchi Training Center is upgrading competencies of Health Professional for better delivery of Maternal and Child Health Care The construction and renovation of the health infrastructure in Dasht-I-Barchi area portrays long-lasting friendship of the people and governments of Japan and Afghanistan. Kabul, 28 May 2008: A training centre, attached to the Dasht-I-Barchi District Hospital, will be officially inaugurated by the Ministry of Public Health and the Embassy of Japan in Kabul. The construction of this training center is part of a bigger project which includes 1) construction and equipping of training center and dormitory building, kitchen and laundry building, 2) renovation of delivery ward building, main water supply, water supply to each building and electric work of the buildings. �At the end of 2006 we and our Japanese friends witnessed the inauguration of Dasht-I-Barchi district hospital. At that time we announced that soon a training center will be constructed and equipped for the training of health care professionals, working in Dasht-I-Barchi health facilities and in the nearby health centers and probably from the provinces. Upgrading of the Dasht-I-Barchi Hospital and establishment of this training center will definitely enhance health service delivery in this area and improve health status of people especially women and children� said Dr. Said Mohammad Amin Fatimie, the \|Minister of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. �The construction and renovation of the health infrastructure in Dasht-I-Barchi area portrays long-lasting friendship of the people and governments of Japan and Afghanistan. On behalf of the people and government of Afghanistan, we are very thankful to the people and government of Japan and look forward to expanding this friendship� he added. The land was provided by the Ministry of Public Health. The foundation ceremony was attended by Dr. Said Mohammad Amin Fatemi, the Minister of Public Health, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan Ms. Otsuka and JICA Representative Mr.Nakahara in November 2006. The building cost approximately US$ 373 389.22 and the construction started in August 2007 and finished on 22 April 2008. The training center has two big rooms with enough space for working groups and serving tea and lunch for the participants of the workshops, trainings and seminars. JICA provides equipment for the training center such as computers, printers, projectors, furniture (desks, chairs, Cabinets, heaters, washing machine and so on) and stationery with a value of Approximately US$ 45,000. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima@moph.gov.af fahima777@yahoo.com


After completing the expansion, the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) will evolve from 85 bed facility to almost 400 bed fully fledged institution 2008-05-07 source: Click here Officially inaugurated by His Excellency President Hamid Karzai, Ms. Bernadette Chirac, His Highness Aga Khan and Mr. Philippe Douste Blazy on April 8th, 2006, the French Medical Institute for Children operates on 1700 patients, treats 5000 inpatients and 37000 outpatients annually Kabul 07 May 2008- The war-ravaged Afghanistan has one of the world's highest infant and maternal mortality rates as one child in five does not reach the age of five and every 30 minutes a woman in the country dies from pregnancy-related causes. In such a situation establishment of maternal and child health facilities and expansion of them are very crucial to the MoPH and Government of Afghanistan. One of the most important steps in this regard was the setting up of French medical Institute for Children (FMIC) in Kabul. In May 2002 the Afghan government provided the old compound of Aliabad Medical Institutions, rendered ruin by the war, to Enfants Afghans to build the FMIC hospital. In May 27th, 2003 the foundation stone was laid by the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan. In February 2005 the construction work of the compound was finished. The FMIC was established as a four-way public-private partnership among the governments of Afghanistan and France, La Cha�ne de l�Espoir and the Agha Khan development Network and was officially inaugurated by His Excellency President Hamid Karzai, Ms. Bernadette Chirac, His Highness Aga Khan and Mr. Philippe Douste Blazy on April 8th, 2006. �Besides offering surgery, inpatient care and outpatient care, the facility is serving as a reference hospital, a training site, a diagnostic center and a 24 hours emergency point. MoPH is very happy to have started this partnership and very much looking forward to having this facility expanded so that Afghan people, especially children and women, can get quality care inside Afghanistan, health professionals can get quality training and MoPH could replicate it to other regions of the country� said His Excellency Dr. Said Mohammad Amin Fatimie, Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The facility has a capacity of 37 000 outpatient visits, 5000 inpatients and 1 700 surgical interventions annually. Poor patients are receiving care and services free of charge and MoPH Afghanistan is reimbursing the cost to the facility. The expansion plan is taking two more phases. In first phase the capacity will increase to manage 150 bed facilities and in the second phase it will take care of 400 bed fully-fledged facilities to provide services like women�s surgical, obstetrics and gynecology services, all other specialties in addition to all pediatric subspecialties, diagnostic imaging and lab services provided currently in the FMIC. After completion of the expansion the FMIC will collaborate with Kabul Medical University and the Ghazanfar Institute of Health Sciences to create a major teaching and training site and offer programmes in postgraduate medical, nursing and allied health education. The total budget for this expansion is approximately $126 million. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima777@yahoo.com


The 3rd Turkish-Afghan Joint Medical Week is being observed between 26 April and 1 May 2008 in Kabul 2008-04-27 source: Click here The 3rd Turkish-Afghan Joint Medical Week is being observed between 26 April and 1 May 2008 in Kabul Thousands Afghan patients are benefiting from the Turkish support to the Health Care System of Afghanistan Kabul- 26 April 2008- Since the beginning of new government in Afghanistan, relation has been enhanced between Republic of Turkey and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Turkish Ministry of Health is providing support to the Hospital and Primary Health Care programmes of Afghanistan. 5 Hospitals and around 10 clinics have been rehabilitated or newly constructed by the financial support of Turkish people and government. In addition to rehabilitation, construction, equipping and operationalization of Hospitals and clinics, hundreds of Afghan health professionals have benefited from short term trainings in Turkey. Since 2007 annually hundreds of Afghans have received free treatment in Turkish Hospitals in Turkey. Financial support is also provided to top up the salary of staff working in the Afghan Turk hospitals in Fariab, Jawzjan, Samangan and Kabul Ataturk since 2006. During the last harsh winter 20 tons of different medications were provided by the Tukish side to the MoPH Afghanistan which were distributed to the provinces hit by severe cold. The 3rd Turkish-Afghan Joint Medical Week is being observed between 26 April and 1 May 2008 in Kabul. For this purpose a 34 member health mission from the MoH Turkey has arrived to Kabul headed by the Deputy Undersecretary, MoH, His Excellency Professor Dr. Nihat Tosun. �Having the historic relationship with the people and government of Turkey, Afghans are benefiting from the Turkish generous support to the health care system of Afghanistan. Each year thousands of Afghans are using the health care and services inside Afghanistan provided by the support of Turkish ministry of health, people and government. We are very grateful to His Excellency Dr. Rajab Akdag, Minster of Health, people and government of Turkey for their generous support to the MoPH Afghanistan and want to expand and continue this relationship in future� said His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Recently His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health and His Excellency Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in separate visits to the Republic of Turkey have requested Turkish Government to provide surface ambulances with chains, medical short and long term courses, helicopter ambulance and construction of Health centers, 4 in Wardak and 1 in Samangan provinces. A protocol was also signed between MoPH Afghanistan and Turkish International Cooperation and Development Administration (TIKA) for the rehabilitation and operation of Ibnsina Hospital in Kabul in Nov 2007. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima777@yahoo.com


Indian Government hands over 10 ambulances this morning to the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan and 18 Health Facilities are being constructed in 12 provinces with the $2.5 million provided by the government of India 2008-04-25 source: Click here Indian Government hands over 10 ambulances this morning to the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan and 18 Health Facilities are being constructed in 12 provinces with the $2.5 million provided by the government of India Thousands of Afghan Children are using health care services provided by Indera Ghandi Child Health Institute, supported by Indian government Kabul- 26 April 2008- Since the beginning of new government in Afghanistan, the two nations of Afghanistan and India, enjoy excellent relations. The Indian Government is specially focusing on the development of Health Care Services System in Afghanistan and help MoPH Afghanistan deliver quality health services to the needy people. Since the establishment of Indera Ghandi Child Health Institute, Indian government has provided continuously every support for the renovation and operation of this hospital. In continuation of its support, Indian Government handed over 10 ambulances to the MoPH Afghanistan today morning. 18 Health Facilities are being constructed in 12 provinces with the $2.5 million financial support provided by the government of India. Currently dozens of Afghan health professional are studying in different health institutions of India. �Afghans, especially children, are continuously benefiting from the supports provided by the people and government of India. Thousands of Afghan children are using the health care and services provided by Indera Ghandi Child Health Institute with the support of Indian government. India is a very appropriate place to seek knowledge and experience for our doctors. Therefore, we want to expand this relation with Indian health institutions in future. We are very thankful to the people and government of India for their generous support and donation� said His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Recently Indian government has promised to provide MRI and CT Scan (hi-tech diagnostic machines), to set up a radiological center and to provide training opportunities for Afghan doctors and health professional. In order to have easy access to the Indian expertise, a telemedicine system will be established between two major tertiary hospitals of Afghanistan, namely and Malalay Maternity Hospital and Indera Ghandi Child health Institute, and the All India Institute of Health Sciences. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima777@yahoo.com


93% and 76% reduction has occurred in the Plasmodium Falciparum and Plasmodium Vivax malaria cases, respectively, in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2007 2008-04-24 source: Click here 1.2 million insecticide treated bed nets is distributed in 2008 through 900 public and private outlets in 10 provinces by the National Malaria Control Programmed while 326000 was distributed during 2007 Kabul April 24th 2008- 25 April is a day of unified commemoration of the global efforts to provide effective control of malaria around the world. This day is an opportunity to determine and provide hopes to the people that fight against malaria can be won if all partners collaborate on international, national, subnational and community levels. Malaria is a disease which does not recognize borders and still is a global public health problem. Globally Malaria kills 1.1 million people each year which makes 2% of all deaths among human being. Fortunately it is curable if treated and preventable if we keep away people from the female Anopheles mosquito which is taking malaria parasite from an infected person to a healthy one. �Prevention and control of Malaria is an important priority programme of the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Malaria prevention and control programme is integrated with all other health care interventions in all 1429 health facilities in the country. The programme has achieved remarkable progress in the development of national strategic plan, establishment of training and research institute, implementation of different research projects, establishment of national surveillance system and conducting of comprehensive training programmes at different levels. Ministry of Public Health is thankful to all health stakeholders especially to the Global Fund for its generous financial support and WHO for its technical support� said His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, Minister of Public Health. The national malaria control programme has its headquarter in Kabul. It is located in DarulAman area of Kabul city which has a new building constructed newly with the financial support of USAID. The programme has its branches in all 34 provinces with 12-19 staff who are supervising the work of all health facilities with regard to malaria control programme. . In 1999, on an estimated total population of 21 million people, over 12 million were estimated to be living in areas with malaria risk, resulting in an estimated 2-3 million clinical malaria case. Approximately 80-90% of malaria cases were due to Plasmodium vivax (the less life threatening form of the disease) and 10-20% is due to Plasmodium falciparum (the most life threatening form of the disease). Fortunately the pattern of diseases was changed dramatically in 2007 where 14% of malaria cases were due to Plasmodium vivax and 2% of cases were due to P. Falciparum, which is a good indicator for the reduction of mortality due to malaria. During 2007, the program was able to distribute 326000 impregnated nets and 1.2 million nets will be distributed in 2008. The distribution is taking place through 900 public and private outlets in 10 provinces. The bed net is procured $6 per unit by the national malaria control programme and sold at subsidized rate of $2 per unit to general public and free to pregnant and fully immunized children. In 2002 number of malaria cases detected and treated by around 400 health facilities was 626839. This number has reduced to 433412 cases in 2007 reported from 1090 health facilities. This change shows that people have good access to the malaria control services and the burden of malaria cases has reduced dramatically in the country. In Afghanistan transmission is seasonal, unstable and dependent upon altitude, temperature and rainfall. Transmission occurs below 2000m, in areas around Jalalabad and Khost to the east, Kandarhar to the south, Farah and Herat to the west and Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, Baghlan and Pul-i-Kumri to the north. The central highlands of Afghanistan are malaria free. Abnormal meteorological conditions may have been the trigger for a P. falciparum malaria epidemic at an altitude of 2,400 metres. This occurred in September 2000 in Yakawlang district of Bamyan province, there were 15 deaths. A major determining factor for malaria in Afghanistan is the presence of paddy fields. Rice remains under water from June to August in some areas and it is in these areas where prevalence of P. falciparum is highest. Another important factor is that Afghanistan consists of huge arid areas surrounding ancient and well developed irrigation systems. These irrigation systems however, are usually poorly maintained, and provide opportunities for mosquito breeding The vectors of Afghanistan have a strong preference for animals (zoophiliy) and tend to rest in-doors (endophiliy). Another major feature of Afghan vectors is that they breed in a wide variety of habitats. It is found in the northern and southern parts of the Hindukush Mountains and it is widely spread throughout the country. It breeds in pools on the side of mountain streams and at times of rice fields as well. To read more on the Ministry of Public Health�s activities, please visit: http://www.moph.gov.af/ At the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Abdullah Fahim, Spokesperson Phone: 0700276340 Email: fahima777@yahoo.com


KABUL, 21 April 2008 - The Ministry of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is categorically denying a media report by the Reuters, misquoting the ministry officials, that there was evidence of nuclear contamination in the Tora Bora Mountains of eastern Afghanistan 2008-04-21 source: Click here KABUL, 21 April 2008 - The Ministry of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is categorically denying a media report by the Reuters, misquoting the ministry officials, that there was evidence of nuclear contamination in the Tora Bora Mountains of eastern Afghanistan. The Reuters report said on Saturday 19th April 2008 that the Ministry of Public Health was investigating claims that the Tora Bora Mountains had been contaminated with radioactive material. "The Ministry of Public Health, so far, has no information from any official source, including health authorities, about the presence of any anomalies and congenital malformation due to nuclear contamination from any part of the country and therefore there is no need for any investigation and research to be launched. The ministry even has no plan for such an investigation in the future because of no need is foreseen for this purpose" said His Excellency Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, Minister of Public Health. Reuters has misquoted Dr. Faizullah Kakar, deputy minister of public health for technical affairs, by reporting that the ministry would study whether levels of depleted uranium were higher than normal in the environment, especially in Tora Bora area, after the beginning of war on terror in 2001. �The information is absolutely baseless and so far MoPH has not been reported by any health facility, health authority and health institution about any increase in the numbers of congenital anomalies and malformations in newborn babies from all over the country� said His Excellency Dr. Faizullah Kakar, deputy minister of health for technical affairs. Functions of the government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are divided among all ministries based on their sectoral missions and mandates. So far the Ministry of Public Health has been tasked to diagnose and treat those patients who need radiotherapy which is affordable by the current capacity of the ministry.


Launching of Nationwide campaign against Polio 2008-04-13 source: Click here The three day nationwide immunization campaign on polio was launched by the Minister of Public Health on 13 April 2008. Speaking on the occasion Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimie, Minister of Public Health said that during this nationwide campaign seven million five hundred thousand under five children will be given two drops of polio vaccine and another six million eight hundred thousand children of 6 months to five years will be administered vitamin A capsules. He further said that polio eradication from the country is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Public Health and to achieve this goal, the Ministry of Public Health with the assistance of the Global Partners is undertaking 4 rounds of nationwide and 6 sub-nationwide polio immunization campaigns every year. Thanking the Global Partners such as USAID, CDC, WHO, UNICEF and JICA the Minister of Public Health also appreciated the efforts of the implementer NGOs.


Signing of 33 Million USD Contract with UNICEF 2008-02-27 source: Click here Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimie, the Minister of Public Health signed the contract of USD 33 million with UNICEF � Afghanistan representative Catherine Mbengue in Kabul. In the event of signing the contact, the Minister of Public Health stated that reduction in the maternal and child or infant mortality is one of the priority issues of his ministry and based on the request of the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF has allocated USD 33 million which will be spent in the EPI, Maternal Health, School children health, nutrition, HIV spread prevention and increasing the awareness of people about this disease all over the country during 2008. Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimie stressed upon that despite the various efforts under taken by his ministry to reduce the maternal and child mortality in the country, it is unsatisfactory and require further hard work to ensure that no mother or child in any part of the country lose their live from the easily preventable diseases. The Minister of Public Health declared investment in health sector as basis for the social and economical development in the country and said that improvement in the health conditions of the people is the top priority of the Ministry of Public Health. Dr Najibullah Mujadadi, special advisor to the president on health expressed his thanks to the assistance provided by UNICEF and all the donors to the health sector and admired the performance of the Ministry of Public Health. Towards the end, Catherine Mbengue, representative of UNICEF in Afghanistan stated that we are really happy from the joint efforts under taken by UNICEF and Ministry of Public Health in implementing the health projects in Afghanistan. She named USA, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Norway as the countries funded in this regard.


Disease Early Warning System 2008-02-26 source: Click here Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) has been started its activity originally with eight Sentinel Sites (SS) in eight regions of Afghanistan in the second half of December 2006. The main objectives of the system is to detect cases and collect information on 15 target diseases in early stages and take necessary action to respond to the outbreaks and control the further spread of diseases, so that contribute actively in reducing morbidity and mortality, especially among the vulnerable groups Afghan population. Later on the system extended its coverage in neighboring districts and provinces gradually. Currently (February 25, 2008) 126 Sentinel sites are functioning in 34 provinces of the country under the DEWS Surveillance System. All Sentinel Sites have to send their reports on weekly basis to Afghan Public Health Institute, Ministry of Public Health. After verification of the received reports, the compilation and analysis of the data starts and being written weekly report on the analyzed data and distributed to MoPH authorities and all stakeholders. The weekly reports are also available on the Website of the Ministry of Public Health.


Health information about Paktika province as a reply to an article by AFP in Afghanistan Times on 09 February 2008 2008-02-09 source: Click here The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is acknowledging the very challenges mentioned in the article like insecurity, vast size of the province, scattered population and poor status of social infrastructure. This is why MoPH is offering hardship allowance to attract more health professionals to work in such provinces. Despite the policy of MoPH on provision of hardship allowance for the staff members, especially women, to work in remote and underserved areas, few health professionals are willing to work in those areas because of no quality education facilities for their children, no power, difficult roads, poor transportation and no decent residence in those remote areas. In spite of such a challenging environment, MoPH has been able to establish and run 31 health facilities including 3 hospitals. In running these facilities, 3 NGOs namely IMC, SCA and JACK and two donor agencies like the World Bank and USAID are supporting MoPH. Total of 362 staff are working in the health system in Paktika. Out of 362 staff 130 are supporting staff and the rest are medical staff. 15 specialist medical doctors, 43 generalist medical doctors including 2 female and 15 midwives are among the medical staff. In addition to above, 315 Community Health Workers (CHWs) including 136 women are providing on voluntary basis community based health care at village levels. As it is mentioned in the article, challenges towards education system, especially girls� education, in the province have seriously hampered development of female health professional. Nevertheless, a dozen of females from Paktika province are currently under Community-Based Midwifery training in Wardak province. Soon after graduation they will be assigned to the health facilities in their home towns to deliver maternal and child health care and services. During the cold winter this year, MoPH and its partners have deployed 10s of mobile health teams in the province to provide health care and services to the remote, underserved areas and those hit by the harsh cold weather. MoPH is very much interested to depict the real picture of health situation in Paktika province. In this regard we invite media to communicate with the right people in MoPH Kabul and in MoPH directorate in the Paktika province. In Kabul: At Ministry of Public Health


Progress and Challenges of Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan 2008-02-04 source: Click here Kabul, 04 February 2008- MoPH is vigilantly watching any reports on the health status of Afghans and on the performance of health care system in Afghanistan. MoPH is very much welcoming feedbacks and comments from national and international individuals and agencies. Recent report from OXFAM; Afghanistan: Development and Humanitarian Priorities is a comprehensive feedback in this regard. MoPH leadership is welcoming OXFAM for releasing such a report and commending for its realistic capturing of the health situation in Afghanistan. We encourage OXFAM and other interested organization to do the same efforts and inform MoPH regularly so that enhancement occurs in the performance of MoPH and in the health status of Afghans, especially in the health of children and women. Since the collapse of Taliban in 2001, MoPH has achieved many milestones in the area of institutionalization, capacity building, service delivery, monitoring and evaluation. As a result under 5 child mortality rate in Afghanistan has declined from an estimated 257 per 1000 live births in 2001 to about 191 per 1,000 in 2006, according to preliminary findings of Johns Hopkins University (JHU) household survey. It shows 25% reduction in the child mortality in Afghanistan, that means 89000 deaths among under 5 years age children are averted each year compared to the years prior to 2006. Coverage of Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) has increased from 9% in 2002 to above 80% in 2007. Hospital reform for the implementation of Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS) is moving ahead. So far EPHS has been implemented in 13 Hospitals. In these hospitals occupancy rate has been doubled from 41% in 2005 to 81% in the third quarter of 2007. For the first time immunization coverage has reached more than 83% of under one children. Antenatal Care for pregnant women has increased from 18% in 2001 to 35% in 2007. Also the institutional delivery and skilled birth attendance during labour and delivery have increased dramatically over the last 6 years. A health facility assessment, also commissioned by the Ministry of Public Health, indicates a 25 percent improvement in overall quality of health services since 2004. The JHU assessment which has been surveying more than 600 health facilities each year since 2004 to measure different aspects of quality of services found improvements in virtually all aspects of care in almost every province. With all the progress in the performance of health sector in Afghanistan, still one in every 5 children could not celebrate its 5th birthday. Afghanistan still has very poor health indicators in the world which needs more efforts and investment by MOPH and its national and international partners. MoPH is making more efforts to train more female staff such as midwives, community midwives and female nurses. At this writing 70% of health facilities have at least one female staff, while in 2001 less than 45 % of health facilities had female staff. In addition 19 Community Midwifery Training centers in 19 provinces have trained hundreds of community midwives. Number of these training centers is increasing to cover more provinces. MoPH has established Provincial Public Health Coordination Committee at provincial level with the membership of Provincial Health Director, 4 Provincial Health Officer, UNICEF, WHO, private sector representative, NGOs and other health stakeholders. This forum is coordinating health activities at provincial level. Another forum by the name of Provincial Coordination Body is chaired by the governor with the membership of line directors is taking care of overall coordination and security issues at provincial level. In order to keep the existing momentum and to enhance the performance of health sector, the Ministry of Public Health is mobilizing additional domestic and international resources to ensure continuing progress in the health sector in order to save more lives. Core government spending on health will be increasing from 4% in 2007 to 6% in 2012. This way MoPH will be gradually reaching the goal of higher government contribution in health care financing. In order to further improve the health sector performance the Ministry of Public Health is taking a number of steps, including: � Mobilizing and training of more female staff � Increasing the number of health facilities with female staff � Creating sub-centers and deploying mobile teams for the expansion of BPHS in remote and rural areas � Providing refresher training opportunities for health staff � Training and deploying community health workers to encourage and educate women about using health services � Strengthening and expansion of community midwifery education training courses � Establishing of more maternity homes. The challenges the MoPH faces are numerous. In the southern provinces, security is the main hurdle preventing the expansion and the equitable distribution of health services. Access to health facilities through out the country especially in mountainous regions during harsh winters is another challenge. Lack of roads and public transportation adds to all the other challenges of access. Although we have made progress in providing basic health services in the great majority of districts, hospital care requiring advanced curative procedures are not yet in place even in our provincial hospitals. Thus we need support of the international community to train specialists and to equip hospitals at least in a few large cities. This will further reduce mortality and save thousands of Afghans from becoming bankrupt due to catastrophic out of pocket spending on surgeries and treatments in neighbouring countries.


Over a thousand doctors participated in the Training program exam 2008-01-08 source: Click here More than 1000 medical doctors participated in a training program examination which was held in Kabul Medical University auditorium in Kabul. Successful candidates of the exam will join three to five year training programs in the major training hospitals of Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Kandahar, Ningarhar and Kunduz provinces where they will have both lectures and practical sessions. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimi, Minister of Public Health said that the Ministry of Public Health has the capacity of absorbing 200 successful training doctors in its related hospitals, however for those who do not succeed in attaining the required score, there are other alternative programs. He further added that by under taking such training program, we will be able to strengthen the knowledge and practice of the medical doctors. "We hope and look forward that these training medical doctors will benefit from this opportunity maximally." Furthermore, he stated that new hospitals with a capacity of 300-400 beds are under construction in Kabul and in provinces and we will be able to grab more doctors in the training program in the near future. Higher Education Minister, Dr M. Azam Dadfar before commencement of the examination said that the participation of such a large number of medical doctors in the training program examination is the fact that our newly graduated medical doctors are keen in improving their professional fields of work. Dr Ubaidullah, Director of Kabul Medical University stated: the hospitals of Higher Education Ministry has the capacity for 32 training program doctors and those successful candidates acquiring high scores will be hired in these hospitals. Worth mentioning that 1022 newly graduated medical doctors participated in this exam, out of which 232 successful doctors will get engaged in training program in the country's training hospitals.


Proceeding of the Results Conference 29th � 30th October 2007 2008-01-06 source: Click here Proceeding of the Results Conference In Ministry of Public Health 29th � 30th October 2007


Construction of seventeen health clinics and hospitals in the country by the assistance of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) 2008-01-03 source: Click here The Afghan Public Health Minister has signed the contract for constructing seventeen clinics and hospitals with the operational director of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) here in Kabul. Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimi, Minister of Public Health after signing the contract while briefing the media people said that OIC will be spending four million and three hundred and fifty US dollars for the construction of 15 basic health clinics and two hospitals, each having 70 beds. According to the Minister of Public Health, these clinics will be built in those areas of the country where people have limited access to health services. The construction period of these clinics is from 6-12 up coming months. He further added that according to a previous agreement OIC has built 20 health centers by a total expenditure of one million and eight hundred thousand US dollars. 16 out of the 20 health centers have commenced functioning while 4 remaining will be completed soon. The operational director of OIC while addressing the media said that his organization considers Afghanistan as one of the important member countries and is standing side by side with the people and government of Afghanistan in its rehabilitation process. Dr Sayed M. Amin Fatimi in his answer to a question said that these health clinics will be built in Panjsher, Takhar, Bamyan, Samangan, Sari Pul, Balkh, Laghman, Parwan and Kabul. Beside those two hospitals each 70 beds will be built in Ningarhar and Paktya provinces. He further added that until now 313 health centers are operating in rent houses and there is further need for construction of 500 comprehensive health centers and hospitals all over the country.


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