Health dept unable to take charge of Turkish-run hospital

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Public health officials in northern Jawzjan province on Sunday said they were not capable financially and technically of taking charge of a children’s hospital from Turks.

Constructed and equipped back in 2006 by the government of Turkey, affairs of the hospital are currently being run by the Turkish Cooperation Agency (TIKA). 

Around 130 people, including 60 doctors and 30 nurses, have been working at the hospital. Thirty percent of staffers are women.

The Turkish agency has decided to transfer the hospital to the health department. In a formal letter, the agency wrote: “Responsibility for health services and equipment of the hospital would be transferred to the health department in four months.”

But Public Health Director Dr. Faridoon Habib said his department did not have the ability to look after affairs of the hospital. The Ministry of Health was not in position to equip the hospital and pay salaries, he claimed. 

In addition, he said the child mortality rate would increase if charge of the hospital was given to his department.

nh/mud

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