Health
COVID-19 fears Afghanistan; all educational institutions put on leave
According to the presidential palace, in order to prevent coronavirus outbreak, all educational institutions, private and service, are to remain close until 17th April 2020.
Presidential Spokesperson Sedqi Sediqqi said in a tweet, “On joint requests of public health, education, higher education, and information and culture ministries, the president calls on all educational sectors, private and service, to remain close until 17th April 2020.
In the meantime, sports authorities have also declared that all events have been put on hold until the next notice.
According to reports from the ministry of public health, at least one positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Herat, Samangan, Balkh and Kapisa provinces each.
The MOPH adds that a total of 191 coronavirus possible cases have been registered in Afghanistan so far; out of which 11 tested positive, 180 negatives, and 42 others are being tested in laboratories.
It is noteworthy that members of parliament representing western Afghan provinces underline that the government has to take serious actions to tackle the virus, or else it will spread to more parts of Afghanistan.
With the increase in the number of the COVID-19 infected, these MPs have expressed their concerns noting that in the last 4 days, some 37,000 Afghan nationals have been returned back to the Herat province of Afghanistan from Iran. Some of these returnees, reportedly, have traveled to other provinces too.
The MPs say that if the quarantine is not seriously taken into consideration in Afghan borders, the deadly virus will rapidly travel through Afghanistan.
Health
Azerbaijan urged to help improve capacity of Afghan health workers
Acting Minister of Public Health Qalandar Ebad, in a meeting with Azerbaijan’s ambassador, Ilham Mohammadov, called for the country’s assistance in improving the capacity of Afghanistan’s health workers.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in the health sector, capacity building of Afghan health workers, and Azerbaijan’s role in the health sector and other issues, according to a statement released by the Public Health Ministry.
Azerbaijan’s envoy said that his country seeks to cooperate with Afghanistan in a sustainable manner in the field of health.
In other news, the foundation stone for the construction of oxygen production facility was laid at the Indira Gandhi children hospital in Kabul.
Officials of the Ministry of Public Health said that the facility will be built with the financial and technical assistance of the World Health Organization, and with the capacity to produce 200 cylinders of oxygen daily to meet not only the needs of the hospital, but also other health facilities.
Health
Balkh health officials report sharp increase in number of cancer patients
Balkh Public Health Department officials say there has been a significant increase in the number of patients with cancer in the province.
“In 1401, about 2,613 OPD (out patient department) cases were registered with us. In 1402, these figures were 4,912 cases,” said Ehsanullah Kaliwal, the head of the oncology department at Balkh Regional Hospital.
Some doctors say genetic factors, environmental pollution, arbitrary use of medicines, and excessive consumption of meat were reasons for the sharp increase.
One doctor said cancer was also hereditry.
However, a large percentage of cancer patients in Balkh have stomach cancer. Many of them have appealed for the government to improve treatment facilities.
According to health officials, in the first month of this solar year (April), 423 cancer patients visited this hospital for treatment.
Health
Majority of Afghans with mental disorders are women: officials
Based on last year’s data, 52 percent of people with mental disorders in Afghanistan are women, the Ministry of Public Health said.
However, after the Islamic Emirate took over the country and with the improvement of nationwide security and the provision of better health services, mental disorders have decreased, the ministry said.
“Overall, the mental security of men and women in Afghanistan is not ensured and their mental security is disturbed. According to the figures shared with us, in 2023, 52 percent of the visitors for mental disorders were women,” said Sharaft Zaman Amarkhil, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Health.
“Generally speaking, we can say that compared to the past, the instances of mental illnesses have decreased,” he added.
People suffering mental disorders mostly refuse to share their problem, willingly or unwillingly.
“There are many problems at home; We are poor. I finished school, but didn’t find any job,” Ansar, a mentally ill person, said.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half of Afghanistan’s population suffers from mental distress.
Factors such as unemployment, poverty, domestic violence, ban on girls’ and women’s education and work, and drugs are said to be key contributors to mental distress.
-
Business4 days ago
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
-
Sport4 days ago
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
-
Sport5 days ago
Afghanistan loses 3-1 to Iran in Futsal Asian Cup match
-
Latest News4 days ago
Over 6,000 acres of land cleared of poppies in Badakhshan
-
Health5 days ago
Balkh health officials report sharp increase in number of cancer patients
-
Latest News4 days ago
MSF ‘deeply concerned’ over new phase of deportations of Afghans from Pakistan
-
Sport3 days ago
Afghanistan Champions League kicks off with grand opening ceremony
-
Latest News2 days ago
Pakistan’s frontiers minister stresses ‘dignified’ return of Afghan refugees