Visit to EC by Afghan Health Official

Summary: December 2, 2002: Visit to the European Commission by Afghanistan's Deputy Minister for Health (Brussels)

As the International Community gathers in Bonn for the second international conference on the future of Afghanistan, Ferozuddin Ferouz, Deputy Minister for Health of Afghanistan, visits the European Commission today to discuss the continuing challenges facing that country. The European Union has supported the conduct of the most comprehensive study yet of Afghanistan's health system, which shows that over a third of Afghanistan's health facilities (84 hospitals and 192 health centres and dispensaries) have been damaged or destroyed by war. In some areas three quarters of all facilities are damaged. Over one in 10 areas have not a single health facility. Afghanistan continues to rely on the support of the international community to address these problems. The EU has consistently been the primary donor in this field, and continues to support Afghanistan's transition to a safer and healthier future.

The report on Afghanistan's health system was commissioned by the Afghan government and conducted by Management Sciences for Health, with the support of the European Union (around 50% of the costs), the UN Fund for Population, and the American and Japanese Development Agencies. Before this study, only fragmentary, and often outdated, information was available.

The report addresses all aspects of health including construction, rehabilitation, equipment, training, transportation and human resources, especially women.

In spite of difficult road conditions, complex logistics and at times violent environments, 160 surveyors visited over 1,000 health facilities, 3,000 community health centres and 1,450 private pharmacies. Most of their findings make grim reading.

Of the 698 facilities said to exist, 131 were found to be inactive or destroyed.
Despite a better than expected national average of primary health care facilities, there are huge imbalances in how these facilities are distributed throughout the country. For example, the densely populated district of Ghazni, has a ratio of 273,000 persons per health facility as against the national average of 27,800 per health facility.
Thirty-nine of the 320 districts do not have a single health facility.
Less than half of all health facilities have access to safe water.
Less than one fourth have a vehicle that could allow transportation of a patient.
Mother and child health pose some of the most acute problems with only 30% of primary care facilities able to provide basic mother and child services. Only 17 of the country's 174 hospitals can practice Caesarian deliveries. This in part explains the very high maternal mortality rate of Afghanistan.
40% of all health facilities do not have a single woman on their staff.

During his visit to the European Commission Dr Ferouz will present the results of the health facilities assessment and outline priorities for investment, which are now solidly based on evidence and fully mapped.

The European Union has a long record of support for health care in Afghanistan. Between 1993 and 2001 ECHO spent €178 million on humanitarian aid in the country of which around a quarter was spent directly on health. In addition, our Aid to Uprooted People programme provided almost € 200 million from 1992 - 2000, including the provision of basic healthcare. Much of this health spending has been focused on primary emergency health care intervention. Internally displaced people, refugees and the provision of emergency health care near the frontlines and most badly war affected areas were the main target groups.

In 2002, ECHO allocated €10 million to direct health care activities. In addition, around a third of the €22 million allocation for Aid to Uprooted People made in May, was devoted to primary health care and the fight against diseases such as malaria, and a further €12 million were committed under the second Reconstruction Programme approved in July. 238 health clinics have been financed, and this figure is set to double next year. Health will remain a priority for assistance in 2003 and 2004 - helping the Government to deliver a basic healthcare package, especially focusing on mother and child healthcare. We will also continue to work closely with the Ministry of Public Health to build capacity within Government.

Background

The Bonn conference of December 2001 of Afghan factions, assisted by the UN, agreed the next steps for the government of Afghanistan following the end of Taliban control. Today's meeting will review the advances made since then, including the holding of the Loya Jirga this summer, and will consider the steps necessary for future progress, before elections in the summer of 2004.

International donor effort has been crucial in underpinning the constitutional reforms and physical reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The conference will be hosted by Germany, which has invited representatives from the European Commission and the governments of Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Great Britain, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakstan, Kirghistan, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Tadjikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, USA, and Uzbekistan.

For further information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/afghanistan/intro/index.htm

Ref: EC02-250EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 2/12/2002

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