HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Residents of western Herat province grumble about lack of female doctors in different wards of the zonal hospital, urging the Public Health Department to address the issue.
Shabnam, a resident of 15th police district of Herat city and one of the patients visiting the zonal hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News there were very few female doctors in the hospital.
According to Shabnam, her economic situation and like many others was not good enough to go to private hospitals for treatment and in some cases it was necessary to tell a female doctor about their problems or gynecological problems.
Humaira, who has mental problems, said there was lack of female doctors in this section more than in other wards.
“In our society, women can tell their problems and illnesses better and more easily to a female doctor, it is impossible for a woman to tell a male doctor correctly about her illnesses and problems,” she added.
Meanwhile, Wali Ahmad, a civil society activist, said a female doctor could more effectively treat a female patient than a male doctor.
Dr. Mohammad Arif Jalali, chief physician of the Herat zonal hospital, acknowledged the lack of female doctors in the hospital and said they faced serious problems in this regard.
He said currently the number of health workers of the hospital was 861 with only 35 percent of them women.
Dr. SuhailaHussaini, a doctor, said the government should appoint female doctors in health centers so that women’s health problems could be addressed in a better manner.
The lack of female health personnel in the hospital forces most people to go to private clinics against a very high fee.
sa/ma
