HEALTHCARE IN AFGHANISTAN

• Conditions in IDP Camps (Jan. 2001)

• Conditions in Herat (Mar. 2002)

Major Healthcare Issues

• Lack of Medicines and Medical Supplies

• Lack of Medical Treatment Facilities

• Poor Access to Present Treatment Facilities

• Lack of Trained Care Providers

Health in Afghanistan• 50,000 people vie for the services of each

physician.

• 50 of the country’s 330 health districts have no basic health center.

• 45 years is the average life expectancy of women; it’s 50 years for men.

• 1 in 4 children die before age 5.

• Nearly half of the children have stunted growth because of nutritional deficiencies.

• 72,000 people develop tuberculosis annually.

• 77% of the population has no access to safe water.

• 11% of the population is vaccinated against polio.

• 35% are vaccinated against measles.

Source: United Nations Development Program, World Health Organization

IDP Camps

Inhospitable Environment

Drought

Severe Winters

Lack of Decent Shelter

Poor Health Care Facilities

Unsanitary Care

Conditions

Lack of Medicine

Unfilled Prescriptions

Infant and Child Mortality

Women’s Health and

Family Planning

Donated Supplies

Herat City Hospital

Emergency Room Conditions

Adult Hospital Ward

Meningitis Outbreak

Available

Medicine

Broken and Outdated Equipment

Maternity Hospital

Delivery Room

Children’s Ward

Medical Students

RECOMMENDATIONS

• IMMEDIATE • Revive the Existing Emergency Health Service• Essential Medicine and Equipment• Provider Training and Salaries

• SHORT TERM • Preventive Health Care• Mobile Maternal Child Health Clinics• Mental Health Services

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Long Term

• Expand Preventive and Public Health System• Expand Maternal Child Health Clinic System• Hospital Operation and Support• Medical Education