WHO: The Ministry of Health, with support from the Health Cluster, led by WHO, is struggling to rebuild a health system badly frayed after years of conflict. The challenges are many: damaged infrastructure, a lack of trained healthcare providers, and under-resourced healthcare facilities. The situation is further complicated by a lack of security and pervasive poverty.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty April 10, 2018 Pakistan has launched a nationwide polio-vaccination drive to try to reach 38.7 million children and eradicate the paralyzing and potentially deadly virus in one of the last countries on Earth where it is found. Nearly 260,000 volunteers and workers fanned out across Pakistan in an effort to vaccinate
Tolo News: The ministry said that access to health care has improved and that once health care centers have been built in remote areas, at least 90 percent of the people will have easy access to medical facilities. Afghan health officials said more attention has been paid to the issue since last year and that work
1TV: 40 percent of Afghan women are suffering from anemia while 97 percent lack Vitamin D, according to findings of a new survey released Saturday. Muscle pain, stress, hairfall, bone and back pain are among signs of lack of Vitamin D. Click here to read more (external link).
1TV: A total of 2,549 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been reported in Afghanistan over the last 28 years, the country’s health ministry said Wednesday. However, according to estimates by UNAID and WHO, the number of Afghans suffering from AIDS is 7,500. Click here to read more (external link).
The World Bank: A health center in Kandahar Province is seeing more female patients and healthy deliveries as a result of community campaigns to raise public awareness and increase trust in health care services. The campaigns are part of the efforts of the System Enhancement for Health Action in Transition (SEHAT) program to expand the scope,
AlterNet: It is estimated that about half of children under five years of age are stunted due to chronic malnutrition, and up to 10 percent have acute malnutrition. More than half of Afghan children suffer mental and physical damage because they are poorly nourished in the first two years of life. Click here to read more
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty February 21, 2018 Babies born in the world’s poorest countries face “alarming” risks of death, with the highest mortality rates occurring in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and sub-Saharan Africa, a February 20 report from the United Nations Children’s Fund said. Despite major advances in medical care, the report said that seven thousand newborns
NPR: While accurate data on mental health issues are not available in Afghanistan, the World Health Organization estimates more than a million Afghans suffer from depressive disorders and over 1.2 million suffer from anxiety disorders. The WHO says the actual numbers are likely much higher. The mental health toll signifies a hidden consequence of war that is often
1TV: The first ever yoga center opened in northern Balkh province on Sunday with the support of Balkh Physical Education Department in cooperation with the Indian consulate. One aspiring student, Sayed Sultan, said yoga strengthens muscles and also promotes good mental health and that is why he has chosen to take part. Click here to read more