Inadequate health services worry Zurmat residents

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): A number of residents of the Zurmat district of southeastern Paktia province complain about inadequate health services and urge the government to address the issue urgently.

Haji Sadozai, a tribal elder, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Zurmat is a large district, with many people living in remote areas. Our basic need is that health services must be provided based on the population of the district.”

Sadozai explained Zurmat was had severely been affected by conflict over the past 20 years and thus the district remained deprived of elemental services.

Niamatullah Wahid, a resident of Kala-Gulo area, said: “Six health centres exist in the district, including some in remote localities that lack ambulances and enough medicines. As a result, people even with minor ailments have to go to the district centre and the provincial capital.”

He claimed most of the district’s health centers provided vaccination services and visitors had to purchase medicines from the market.

Wahidi asked the authorities concerned to increase health center staffers, supply medicines and equip the facilities to provide proper treatment.

Dr Sadruddin Izam, director of public health, acknowledged: “Zurmat is a largest district, with only six health centres, which are not enough for the entire population. There are still some areas in the province that lack health services.”

He added with cooperation from partner organisations they had set up mobile health teams to reach residents of far-flung areas.

According to Izam, they have talked to donors to increase the number of health centres. He hoped their efforts would yield a positive outcome.

Some time ago, the director recalled, a supportive organisation donated medical supplies worth $3,000 to Zurmat health centers. The supplies would help reduce problem of these centres, he believed.

sa/mud