Useless spending in name of Covid-19 awareness opposed

​MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Residents of some districts of northern Balkh province grumble about the lack of health services in their areas, complaining of facing a host of problems.

The Public Awareness Committee on the risks of Covid-19 in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital, claim having conducted a campaign to inform people in districts to stay safe.

Matiul Rahman Karimi, head of the committee and director of culture and information department, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had previously conducted a public awareness drive regarding the coronavirus through religious scholars, women activists.

The official added he planned to share awareness and guidance on dangers of Covid-10 with resident of the districts.

Karimi continued a joint programme had been set up involving 300 youths from difference districts of the province. Most of city residents were aware of the disease and trying to protect themselves.

But he said ordinary people in districts and remote areas still ignored the threat posed by Covid-19. Karimi stressed people should get informed to play their part in preventing the spread of the second wave of the coronavirus.

Hamidullah Zafarzai, head of the Chaharbolak district youth council, told Pajhwok almost everyone in their district was aware of Covid-19 risks.

“Every radio station you hear highlights the dangers of the coronavirus. There is no need for social media and other resource to spend money in the name of public awareness,” he believed.

He said the government must facilitate health services so patients could be treated in a timely fashion.

Zafarzai noted there was no facility for detecting the Covid-19 disease in the district and every patient must go to Mazar-i-Sharif for testing.

Mohammad Khan, a resident of Dawlatabad district, told Pajhwok the government, especially the Ministry of Public Health, still did not know Covid-19 priorities. He thinks they need to equip health centres in the area and districts with medicines.

“People are dying here; half of health centres are closed and have no medicine. I don’t think anyone is unaware of the disease. The government must help protect people from the virus.”

He suggested the fund spent on public awareness programs for Covid-19 should be used to provide health services in districts and remote areas.

Khalilullah Hekmati, director of Public Health, told Pajhwok, some district were insecure and could not distribute health services.

He acknowledged there was no possibility of Covid-19 testing in districts and any suspected patients should visit Mazar-i-Sharif for the purpose.

According to Hekmati, they have set up coronavirus monitoring teams in a number of districts, so suspected patients could be rushed to health centres in the provincial capital.

sa/mud

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