Access to Primary Healthcare in Kabul, Afghanistan

The CHC in Kabul continues to provide essential health services, despite the ongoing challenges. The majority of patients above 5 years old were female, 83.7% (1598), and 28.4% (756) were children under 5 years old. The Center provided 12’620 health services to vulnerable populations in the first quarter of 2023. The services provided by the CHC are based on the basic package of health services (BPHS). Around 41% of the services provided are vaccines, followed by outpatient department consultations (OPD) 21%. Between January and March 2023, the OPD delivered 2’664 consultations to patients suffering from a range of illnesses.

Of the 2’664 consultations the majority ( 1117) were provided for people suffering from acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) (cough and cold, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) disease and pneumonia). Within the ARI category, ENT disease was the most common complaint (767). The patients also mainly consulted for gastroenteritis (263), pelvic inflammatory disease (221), urinary tract infection (179), anemia (172) and diarrhea (167, including acute watery diarrhea (AWD), AWD with dehydration and acute bloody diarrhea).

In the first quarter of 2023, 1734 children under 5 were screened for acute malnutrition, 51.7% (897) were female and 48.3% (837) were male. Out of the children screened, 9.3% were diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) (162) and 5.8% with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) (101). The 101 children diagnosed for SAM were treated by AADA using Plumpy'Nut – a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food. All parents of MAM children were referred to their nearest health facility providing MAM support and were given nutrition counselling to help support their child. The figure below shows the breakdown of diagnosis between genders.

Malnutrition is a prevalent problem in Afghanistan and is exacerbated by water scarcity, and spikes in food prices. According to the World Food Programme, 19.9 million people face acute food insecurity, of which 6 million face emergency-level food insecurity. In addition, 54% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition (WFP, 2023).

The CHC participates in the national immunization program for children from newborns to five years old. In the reporting period from January to March 2023, the facility provided a total of 4’673 vaccines for children under 5 years of age. The CHC provided 475 tetanus vaccines for female patients. Among the 475 patients, 322 have received two doses or more, and 32 received their fifth and final dose, ensuring a full immunity against tetanus throughout their childbearing years. Zero patient received iron and folic acid supplementation.

The laboratory in the CHC provides a variety of analytical blood services. The total number of tests carried out during this period was 1178.

All the above data shows that the health facility is being used by the local community who are happily benefit from the services. However, we frequently face challenges in providing best quality services due to the fact that we are required to exempt many patients. High food prices and prolonged drought have resulted in an increase in food insecurity and malnutrition and outbreaks of life-threatening diseases (polio, measles, malaria, dengue, cholera and COVID-19) continue, severely weakening an already fragile health system. Paying even 1 dollar for the services is partly complicated for the families who have limited income during the month. In addition to this almost all women who were able to receive a descent salary during the previous government, are banned from their jobs and income generating activities by the de-facto government.

With a 10 $ donation AfD will provide exemption services to 10 patients, who will be able to receive an OPD visit to the doctor. With every 1$ AfD will be able to exempt one additional patient. For us in the developed countries a donation of a small amount equals drinking a cup of coffee, however, for many families in Afghanistan it helps to ease their pain and suffering.

Help AfD to help the families in need and save lives in Afghanistan,