60-bed maternity ward in Badakhshan stops functioning

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Officials at the provincial hospital in northeastern Badakhshan province confirm the hospital’s 60-bed maternity ward has stopped functioning.

Dr. Shafiq Hamdard, director of the hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News the 60-bed maternity ward of the hospital had suspended functioning after it did not receive budget from the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said: “We shared the issue with concerned entities, but they are yet to be reasoned it.”

He claimed maternity death rate had increased in the province after the ward stopped operating.

The WHO was supporting the maternity ward after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s takeover, however the department stopped functioning eight days ago due to non-payment of budget by WHO, he explained.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Department also confirmed the suspension of this ward, but did not provide further details.

However, some sources said about 73 personnel rendered jobless with the closure of the ward.

kk/ma