Emergency opens 5 health centres in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (PAN): The Milan-based NGO Emergency has opened five well-equipped healthcare branches in insurgency-affected districts of southern Helmand province, an official said on Thursday.

Public Health Director Dr. Inayatullah Ghafari told Pajhwok Afghan News the Italians had established the facilities in Sangin, Musa Qala, Greshk, Marja and Garmser districts.

The hospitals provided treatment to conflict-affected patients on an emergency basis, said Ghafari, who added his department planned an equal number of health facilities across the province.

He said there were a total of 71 health centres in the provincial capital and districts and efforts were being made to provide better services to mitigate people’s sufferings.

The public health director said efforts were underway in line with the ministry’s plan for reducing mother and child mortality rates and conducting awareness programmes.

Ghafari said services at the Boost Hospital in Lashkargah had improved and the facility was also visited by people from neighbouring provinces.

Attendees said it was hard for them bringing patients to Lashkargah from districts. One of them, Haji Syed Mohammad, coming all the way from Kajaki district, said the hospital in their home town lacked professional doctors.

ma/mud

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