Nangarhar residents irked by below standard health service

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Some residents in eastern Nangarhar province have complained against the presence of unprofessional physicians and unregistered pharmacies.

They said some health centres did not have work permit but officials pledged to resolve the problem.

Ulfat Shinwari, the resident of Ghanikhel district, told Pajhwok Afghan News besides Jalalabad City, the provincial capital, unprofessional physicians and unregistered pharmacies were functional

He criticized health officials as well saying they did not monitor health centres and their negligence opened way for such activities.

Gul Wali, the resident of Sherzado district, asked the relevant officials to stop the sale below the standard medicines and monitor state and private pharmacies.

“We demand health officials to monitor clinics, pharmacies and laboratories because outdated medicines existed and that needed serious attention to be removed,” he said.

Wasel Khal, who brought his father to Jalalabad City, said physicians were doing their business instead of treatment.

“They write unnecessary tests for patients and that has to be carried out in a specific lab and when he write medicines these medicines should be purchased from a specific pharmacy. We want the health department to control these activities.”

Public Health Director Dr. Mohammad Rahim Qalandarzoy said five tonnes of outdated medicines and 1,400 tonnes of expired food items had been collected.

“Public health department daily monitored unregistered pharmacies and health centres and most of unregistered clinics had been closed and the process was still underway.”

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