Covid-19 hospital in Kunduz on the verge of closure

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Health officials warn the Covid-19 hospital in northern Kunduz province may be closed due to no-payment of staff salaries and lack of necessary facilities.

The officials urged the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support the health facility to prevent a fourth wave of the coronavirus.

At the same time, hospital workers, complaining of financial problems, said they had not received their salaries for several months. They warned of quitting if the situation continued.

Director of Kunduz Covid Hospital Dr. Daud Ghani confirmed their facilities and equipment were fast depleting.

Staff members had not been paid for the last seven months on the one hand and the fate of the hospital and its employees remained unknown on the other.

“We are facing a serious crisis. If the situation remains unchanged, the hospital will have to be closed,” the official cautioned.

He said the only Covid-hospital in the northern zone was in Kunduz and if it was not supported, its staff would resign.

Meanwhile, the staffers also grumbled about the non-payment of salaries, asking WHO to release their dues.

Qudratullah Mubarez, an employee of the hospital, said: “We have not received our salaries for seven months. Our fate has been unknown for two months.”

Mubarez added: “Food prices had skyrocketed. We are facing financial difficulties and hope that we will be supported.”

Director of Public Health Qari Mohammad Anwar acknowledged the problems being faced by the health centre and sought support from WHO.

“The situation has been shared with the Ministry of Public Health, which has assured us of support. We want the organisations working in the health sector to help us,” he added.

This comes amid fears of a fourth wave of the coronavirus in the country. It will be difficult to control the situation if the hospital is closed.

sa/mud

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