Nangarhar Infectious Diseases Hospital officials say the number of cases of malaria, cholera and dengue fever has increased in the province due to the warmer weather conditions.

No details on the actual numbers were given but hospital officials said they have treated about 20,000 patients in total over the past three months.

A registered “12,609 patients underwent laboratory examinations; 608 patients had ultrasound tests and 737 had X-rays,” said Abdul Shukoor Azimi, head of Nangarhar Infectious Disease Hospital.

Meanwhile, the patients who were treated at this hospital expressed their satisfaction with the treatment by doctors and the treatment process.

“I was very sick, I came to this hospital and was treated very well. I am very happy with this hospital and its staff,” said a Nangarhar resident.

The officials also stated that the death rate at this hospital is low and health services are provided free of charge.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Health say they have collected more than 670,000 units of blood from across the country in the past year.

Marking World Blood Donor Day in Kabul on Thursday, health officials said that in 1402 solar year, 150,000 men and 8,000 women donated blood.

“Fortunately, the employees of the Ministry of Public Health have been able to increase the number of blood donors,” said Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister of Public Health.

Meanwhile, officials at the central blood bank stated that they distribute safe, disease-free blood to patients in accordance with international norms.

“In the past year, 677,000 units of blood have been collected,” said Saifur Rahman Pashton, head of the Central Blood Bank.

In addition, a number of participants in this program donated blood in a bid to encourage people to do the same.

“We donate this blood for the needy who have thalassemia and cancer diseases,” said one blood donor.

Every year, the ministry marks this day to promote the culture of donating blood by spreading awareness.

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On the eve of Eid al-Adha, the Ministry of Public Health has announced that cases of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever have increased by 38 percent in the last two months across the country.

The Ministry of Public Health said that last year there were about 244 positive cases of Congo fever, of which about 100 patients died.

Sharaf Zaman, the spokesperson of Public Health Ministry, added that in the first five months of this year, 203 positive cases of Congo fever and six deaths were recorded throughout Afghanistan.

According to him, Congo fever cases have increased by 38% in the last two months.

“It is very important to allow at least fifteen minutes for the blood to drain completely after slaughtering the animals on Eid days”

Congo fever is carried by domestic animals and can be transmitted by ticks. It is found in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. Symptoms include headaches, back pain, vomiting, severe bruising and nosebleeds.

“It is very important to allow at least fifteen minutes for the blood to drain completely after slaughtering the animals on Eid days. Then cover the blood on the ground with soil or wash it with soap, powder or only water. After skinning the animal, the skin should be put in a plastic bag immediately,” said Faridullah Omari, a medic.

According to medics, to prevent the spread of Congo fever, infected people should be quarantined and they should avoid contact with healthy people.

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