Residents of Badakhshan province express concern over the closure of six additional health centers funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), following the suspension of the 60-bed maternity unit at the provincial hospital.
Badakhshan residents report that the shutdown of these health centers will deprive thousands of women and children in the Baharak district’s Dasht-e Farakh area, Argo district’s Dahan-e Aab area, Warduj district’s Khosrow area, Yaftal district’s Daneshabad area, and the Battash and Miyan-e Dasht areas of Fayzabad City from essential health services, leading to significant difficulties.
These health centers provided free medical services to the residents of the mentioned areas. According to the residents, they cannot afford medications or private healthcare, and due to the remoteness of their locations, they face severe challenges accessing healthcare services.
Farid Ahmad, a resident of Farakh village in Baharak district, says that the health center in his village was established about a year ago with the support of the IOM and treated dozens of locals daily, particularly women and children. He states, “When we learned that our health center had closed, we became apprehensive and asked the public health authorities not to let this organization stop its activities here. Women and children need health services the most.”
Abdul Wahab, a resident of the Argo district, also mentions that people in his district face serious problems due to the lack of healthcare services. He adds, “The establishment of a health center with the support of the IOM in Dahan-e Aab village has solved many issues for pregnant women and children. However, with its closure, the problems for women and children will increase again. Our people cannot afford to visit doctors due to economic difficulties.”
Abid Badakhshi, a resident of Fayzabad City, says he always took his family to the IOM-funded health center for treatment. He expresses concern over the suspension of the IOM’s health centers in Badakhshan province and urges the Taliban to cooperate and treat aid organizations working in the health sector properly.
He further remarks, “The pressure and actions of the Taliban have led to aid organizations in Badakhshan stopping their activities one after another, and currently, there is a need for more support and equipment for health centers to address the health issues of people, especially women, and children.”
Mr. Badakhshi calls on the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health to negotiate with the IOM officials to reach an agreement on continuing their activities in this province.
Although the official reason for the suspension of the IOM’s six health centers in Badakhshan has not yet been disclosed, a health center official speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily indicates that the IOM halted its health operations in Badakhshan province after the end of July 2024 due to a lack of funds.
This health center official, who wished to remain anonymous, adds, “Despite knowing that these six centers are crucial for providing healthcare services to people, they are being closed due to a lack of budget.”
Meanwhile, the Taliban’s public health officials in Badakhshan claim to be unaware of the IOM’s health activities’ suspension in the province but simultaneously call for global health organizations’ assistance and cooperation in Badakhshan.
A health official at the Badakhshan provincial hospital, also requesting anonymity, states that they urgently need foreign aid to provide services in the provincial hospital and all district health centers.
This Taliban health official urges the Ministry of Public Health and other aid organizations to support the provincial central hospital in neurosurgery, orthopedics, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), and ophthalmology.
It is worth noting that about a month ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the suspension of the 60-bed maternity unit in Badakhshan province due to funding cuts. Provincial hospital officials report that after the closure of the 60-bed maternity unit, only a 30-bed government unit remains operational, with the capacity to treat and care for three to five patients.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
فقر و محدودیتهای طالبان؛ باشندهگان بدخشان از توقف فعالیتهای مراکز صحی نگرانند | روزنامه ۸صبح
