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Health
HEALTH SNAPSHOT
7.4 million people have improved
access to basic
health services
539 health clinics constructed
and 128 under
completion
328 health facilities strengthened
7,575 health workers including
doctors, midwives and
nurses trained
13,150 people receive health
care services daily through
clinics and direct outreach
workers
4 million children vaccinated
against polio
Health Profile
(pdf - 155k)
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Robin Phillips
USAID/Kabul
6180 Kabul Place
Dulles, VA 20189-6180
Tel: 873-762-311955
Desk Officer
Caroline Brearley
Tel: (202) 712-0324
Email: cbrearley@usaid.gov
www.usaid.gov/afghanistan
Background
Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world;
a woman dies from pregnancy-related complications every 30 minutes.
One in five children die before the age of five, and life expectancy is 45
years. While these statistics are formidable, there has been progress:
through USAID programs more than seven million people in 14 provinces
gained better access to quality health care.
Program Overview
USAID made basic health care for rural communities a priority with a primary
focus on women and children’s health. To complement the building
of clinics, roads, and water systems, USAID trains essential health care
professionals and educates Afghans about better health habits.
USAID’s maternal and child health program, Rural Expansion of Afghan
Community-based Health Care (REACH) project, has been working very
closely with the Ministry of Public Health to provide essential services to
the Afghan people. REACH is improving the capacity of individuals, families
and communities to protect their own health; trains health providers
in basic communication skills needed to do their work; produces a range
of health education materials for use in homes, clinics and public places;
and helps the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) harness the media to
deliver key health messages. REACH is changing behaviors, and promoting
health practices to create a healthier Afghanistan.
Delivering Quality Health Services
Volunteer community health workers are a vital asset to the understaffed
health care system in Afghanistan. USAID and the Ministry of
Public Health together support volunteers throughout the system--from
basic health centers in villages to provincial hospitals. Approximately
340,000 patients received treatment and counseling monthly from USAID
trained community health workers. Almost 75 percent of the patients
served are women and children.
In conjunction with the Ministry of Public Health, USAID is building and
renovating clinics throughout Afghanistan to provide people in rural areas
easier access to healthcare, primarily in underserved areas. As of July
2006, more than 539 health clinics have been built or refurbished, and
another 128 are under construction.
Training Health Providers
Given the remote villages across Afghanistan and the lack of education
for many, training in better health practices is critical for saving lives.
USAID has trained nearly 7,575 health workers including pre-service
training for midwives and community health workers and in-service training
for doctors, midwives and nurses.
More than 8,000 women participating in ‘Learning for Life’ classes acquire
literacy and numeracy skills while, at the same time, learning good
health and hygiene practices to apply in their everyday lives. Topics include:
personal and environmental hygiene; transmission and prevention
of infectious diseases; immunization; nutrition; birth planning; and post
and antenatal care.
Building Capacity in the Health System
A well-functioning health system is the foundation of better quality health
care for the country. USAID has worked with the Ministry of Public Health
(MOPH) on improving the capacity of the MOPH to plan and manage,
allocate resources, increase human capacity, strengthen the health information
system, monitor and evaluate the Basic Package for Health
Services (BPHS) and the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS)
programs. Additionally, working with the MOPH in making management
and policy decisions based on data, and managing the essential drug
supply system at national and provincial levels, has proved beneficial for
thousands of people in rural areas.
Expanding Health Education and Materials
More that 60 percent of the families in Afghanistan drink unsafe water at
home--a leading cause of acute diarrhea. Dehydration, a life-threatening
side effect of diarrhea, is a major cause of death among children under
five. Through social marketing, USAID launched the product Clorin, a
safe, easy method used to effectively treat water. In addition, educational
posters and other materials provide important information on good health
practices. Other programs focus on educating Afghan families about reproductive
health choices.
USAID works with private businesses to expand distribution, disseminate
public health messages, and make more products and services available
to rural low-income people in a cost-effective way. USAID-funded programs
assisted in distributing long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets
through household goods shops, hardware stores, bedding stores and
wholesale pharmaceutical outlets. This approach has helped to reduce
and prevent malaria. The shops benefit from the profits of the more than
eight million health products sold to date and more people than ever
have access to needed health care products.
Clinic Construction
To date 539 clinics and health facilities have been constructed or refurbished.
Implementing Partners
More Information
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