Garmser residents rail against scarce health services

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Some residents of of the Garmser district of southern Helmand province rail against what they call limited access to health services, but officials insist all inhabitants enjoy enough medical facilities.

Gul Agha, a resident of Saffar area, told Pajhwok Afghan News there were two health centers in their locality, but they were located at a distance of 20 kilomet.

He noted: “Ours is a vast and heavily populated district, where clinics are situated away from population centres and in a place that isn’t easily accessible for patients.”

He pointed out: “Over 10,000 families are living in our area, whose inhabitants badly need five more well equipped health centres.”

According to Agha, some residents of this area take their patients to the provincial capital Lashkargah or neighbouring Pakistan.

Lal Gul, another resident of the same area, complained there was not even a single health centre in their locality, whose people faced problems.

Gul revealed: “An ailing young man recently passed away here because of the lack of health services.”

But Dr. Abdul Zahir, head of vaccination department at the Binader health clinic, told Pajhwok: “The number of patients visiting this facility is very high… as the area is home to 19,000 families.”

He said since the clinic was 35 kilometres from Saffar, it was necessary to build another health centre, considering the population and problems of the people.

He added: “Patients in critical condition are taken to Khanshin district because the health facilities there are better-equipped.”

Public Health Director Dr. Sayed Ahmad Saeed rejected public complaints, saying there were enough health centres in Saffar and Binader.

He explained three health clinics were operational in Binader and Saffar areas, 7 or 8 kilometres apart.

Dr. Saeed commented: “Residents want a health clinic every five kilometres. we a clinic every 10 kilometres according to the policy of the government…”

aw/mud