20-bed rehab facility inaugurated in Faryab

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): A 20-bed drug rehabilitation facility has been inaugurated in northern Faryab province, where 5.000 women and children consume narcotics, officials say.

They say 350 candidates have taken a test for the appointment of 30 workers to different sections of the hospital.

Dr. Noor Amin Zarmal, head of the Drug Addict Rehabilitation Department at the Ministry of Public Health, told the inaugural ceremony he had traveled to the province in accordance with guidance from the IEA supreme leader to assess and address the problems of rehab facilities.

Zarmal said: “Today, we have inaugurated this 20-bed hospital for the rehabilitation of women addicts. We want to help it in effectively treating female addicts.”

Some sources say 13 ministries have been tasked with creating job opportunities for the addicts after their rehabilitation.

Public Health Director Dr. Ajab Khan Hamidi said the creation of the hospital for the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the province was badly needed.

There are 30,000 drug addicts, including 5,000 women and children, in Faryab, according to the director.

The official said: “According to my information, the addicts include 3,500 women and 1,500 children.”

He added most of the addicts were living in Andkhoi, Qurghan, Khan Charbagh, Qaramqol, Pashtun Kot, Balcharagh and Qaisar.

In these districts, he explained, there was no hospital for female and minor addicts, who were sent to other provinces for rehabilitation.

Simultaneously with the ceremony, 350 candidates attended a test for the appointment of 30 workers to different sections of the hospital.

Dr Hamidi admitted the hospital could not meet the needs of all addicts in the province. He promised efforts to upgrade the facility to a 100 bed-hospital.

Dr. Hamidi said they were also trying to create a vocational training centre for rehabilitated addicts.

Zahra Qachmus, director of the newly inaugurated hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News most of women and minor addicts were in Faryab’s districts.

She added: “Due to their low level of knowledge, some of the people shy away from speaking about their addiction or the need for treatment. This is why their number has increased.”

Creating this hospital for the treatment of women and child addicts is an opportunity to inform families that their relatives are treated by lady doctors and female health workers.

All drug-addicted women and children would receive undergo medical treatment from 45 up to 90 days at the hospital, Qachmus said.

aw/mud