Giro healthcare centre remains closed after 6 years

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Residents of Giro district in southern Ghazni province say the only healthcare centre in the town has been closed for the past six years, with patients facing hardships.

Mohammad Gul, a resident of Mazar area of the district, told Pajhwok Afghan News the healthcare centre in the district had been closed over the past five to six years for unknown reasons.

“People here face problems in area of health services, we take our patients to Ghazni City and the journey takes much time to reach hospital,” he said, adding that some patients had lost their lives due to the absence of healthcare facility in the district.

“We have discussed the issue several times with the public health officials of Ghazni province and other relevant organs, but the problem remains,” Gul said.

Naimullah, another resident of Giro district, also said the healthcare centre in the district had long been closed.

“Public health officials have told Giro residents that they cannot deploy their staff in insecure areas like Giro,” he said, adding that the Taliban had assured local residents they would not damage any health facilities in the district.

Naimullah added the Taliban did not create problems for any health professional in Giro district. He accused the government of seeking excuses to stop health services in their area.

He said they were informed health personnel of Giro district had been deployed to another district.

Ghazni public health director Zia Gul Asfandai confirmed the healthcare center in Giro had been closed due to security problems.

“We have discussed the issue with the Ministry of Public Health, but we do not know when they would activate it,” she said.

She added the Ghazni public health sector did not receive any resources from the Ministry of Public Health for Giro district.

Asfandai rejected claims that health workers of Giro district had been appointed in another district.

A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the rebels did not close any healthcare center in Giro or any other districts.

“Possibly some healthcare centers have been closed for some days due to clashes, but we assure health workers that they would not be hurt,” he said.

Giro is 50 kilometers from Ghazni city and shares order with southern Paktika province. Most parts of the district are under Taliban control.

mds/ma

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