Kunduz residents decry high medicine prices

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of northern Kunduz province have voiced concerns at high prices and low quality of medicines, as well as the poor health services at private hospitals.

While seeking concrete action to address the issues, they claim doctors were charging prohibitively high consultation fees and the quality of medical services was far from satisfactory.

Hikmatullah, an inhabitant of the province, said some private health centres had employed inexperienced doctors, putting patients’ health at risk.

“There are too many private hospitals and we urge the government to strictly regulate them. Doctors working at these facilities should be highly qualified, not individuals lacking proper medical knowledge,” he suggested.

Obaidullah, another resident, said: “People are struggling with poverty. We purchase medicines, which tend to lose efficacy too soon. I earn only 200 afghanis daily, so my request is for affordable and quality medicine.”

Yet another local resident, Hashmatullah, urged private hospitals to reduce their consultation fees, given the economic hardships many people faced.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Public Health Rahmatullah Totakhel assured they were closely monitoring private hospitals.

“We regularly inspect healthcare services, medicine prices and the quality of treatment. In case of any issues, we take immediate remedial steps. Medical services in Kunduz are being provided at reasonable prices,” he insisted.

According to the Public Health Department, over 20 private hospitals and dozens of private clinics are currently providing healthcare services across the province.

kk/mud