KABUL - More than 200,000 people will benefit from a newly constructed hospital in the Kama district of the eastern province of Nangarhar. “Before the establishment of this hospital we used to travel for several hours to take our patients to health facilities, but now we can easily take patients to the Kama Hospital,” said a 50 year old man from Gooch village in the Kama district.

The 40 bed hospital was inaugurated by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatemi and the Governor of Nangarhar, Gul Agha Sherzai this week.

“In the past, we had to travel long distances and spend a lot of money to reach the Jalalabad Public Health Hospital for a simple emergency case. But this newly established hospital has made our life very easy,” added the man.

A 22 year old woman from Zarmanday village said that the establishment of Kama Hospital has provided many health facilities and there is no need for them to travel hours to reach city hospitals.

“The establishment of the Kama District Hospital has linked different levels of health facilities in the northern cluster of Nangarhar province. That has improved the gap that existed between the primary and secondary level health facilities. It has further facilitated the referral system in the cluster and has started providing hospital services at the district level,” said Dr Zaheer, Deputy to the Health Net Jalalabad.

The number of patients visiting the hospital is increasing with about 100 outpatient and inpatient cases everyday as well as delivery cases.

54 technical and non-technical staff are providing services in the hospital and a 24 hours a day ambulance service is also on standby

The percentage of the population in Afghanistan with access to a basic package of health services has increased from 9 per cent in 2003 to 85 per cent in 2007.

By Shafiqullah Waak, UNAMA

Website: Ministry of Public Helath