<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">KABUL (Pajhwok): The ICRC claims it has initiated concrete measures to save lives and stop the inhibition of health services in Afghanistan. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“Through the Hospital Resilience Project (HRP), we support 28 regional, provincial and teaching hospitals with the capacity to hold 5,725 beds,” it said on Monday..</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A statement from the humanitarian organisation said the support included the payment of salaries of around 10,000 health workers and running costs. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">“This enables hospitals to buy fuel to run their ambulances, ensure power continuity and provide food for patients,” the statement added.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">According to the ICRC press release, it also includes the provision of much-needed medical supplies to overcome the disruption of treatment of patients.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Supporting nursing schools and teaching hospitals is essential to secure the futures of thousands of female health workers and the future of the health system for the people of Afghanistan.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Access to health care remains a major concern for a vast majority of Afghans, with thousands of health facilities shut or not functioning. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Given the ongoing economic crisis in the country, most people can no longer afford treatment at private clinics anymore or travel to neighbouring countries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">pr/mud</span></p>
