70 firms importing low-quality drugs to be blacklisted

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Public Health Minister Dr. Firozuddin Firoz on Saturday announced around 70 companies importing low-quality drugs would be black-listed soon.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 55 midwives in Jalalabad, he termed the quality of medicines and services of private hospitals unsatisfactory. 

Firoz told reporters investigations were underway to unearth the companies involved in low-quality drug imports.

In response to a question, the minister said expired medicines were imported from India, China, Pakistan and some other countries.

He added laboratories for examination of medicines would be established in all four zones to curb the import of spurious medicines. Work on the Kabul laboratory will be completed in three months time. 

The minister criticised private hospitals for delivering poor health services, saying the ministry would gradually mount pressure on them to improve their performance.

Many Afghans go to foreign countries for medical treatment, where they spend $3 million annually because the poor performance of hospitals in Afghanistan.     

He admitted lack of lady doctors in far-flung areas and said in the first phase midwives would be trained and posted in their localities. In the second stage, salaries of doctors serving in remote areas will be hiked. 

Meanwhile, Public Health Director Dr. Najibullah Kamawal said midwives played a key role in bringing down mother and infant mortality rates.

Maryam, one of the graduates, said she had learned a lot in two years time and hoped she would get a job at a government hospital.

nh/mud

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