Residents resent lack of medicine at health centers

TIRNIKOT (Pajhwok): Residents say health centers in central Uruzgan province lack medicines and equipment and doctors force patients to purchase drugs from the market.

Naqibullah, a resident of Tirinkot, told Pajhwok Afghan News the patients visiting the provincial hospital had to buy medicines from the market.

He said the hospital also lack medical equipment. With the economic situation deteriorating, he noted, many people were unable to buy medicine and other items.

District health centres are facing a similar situation.

Malim Khair Mohammad, hailing from Khas Uruzgan district, told Pajhwok Afghan News there were few health centres in the town and they lacked medicine and equipment.

He added the problem was that patients were not being treated properly. The man asked the government and aid agencies to equip the health centres so they could provide better services to the people.

In addition to the people and patients, doctors themselves also complain about the shortage of medicine and other facilities at the health centres. They say the problems have hampered their work.

A doctor at the provincial hospital, who did not want to be named, said due to lack of medicine and medical equipment, patients were forced to buy drugs and other items form the market.

Many of the patients visiting the hospital could not afford to purchase medicines, the doctor regretted.

Health officials acknowledge the problem. Fidaullah Nasiri, provincial head of the MOVE, said medicines, medical and non-medical equipment and other necessities worth 30 million afghanis had been purchased for 56 health centres in the province.

He added medical and non-medical equipment worth 11.9 million afghanis and medicines worth 18 million afghanis had been purchased.

Medical items, including oxygen balloons, and non-medical supplies such as tables, chairs, cupboards and other things have been purchased for health facilities.

Nasiri hoped with the distribution of these items, needs of the health facilities would be met and better treatment provided to patients.

sa/mud

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