Health authorities at the Provincial Hospital of Herat reveal a concerning 25% spike in respiratory diseases compared to previous months in the region.
As of Tuesday, January 23, it has been reported that the Provincial Hospital of Herat is receiving a daily influx of 300 to 350 individuals seeking treatment for respiratory issues.
Dr. Dawood Hashemi, the esteemed head of the general internal medicine department at the Provincial Hospital of Herat, substantiates this alarming trend. He asserts, “Respiratory diseases constitute approximately 25% of the total disease cases recorded in January.”
Dr. Hashemi discloses that, according to official statistics, 1,504 patients have been hospitalized this month alone.
The surge in respiratory illnesses is attributed to a combination of factors, with drought being a primary concern, followed by an escalation in dust storms and heightened air pollution.
This revelation comes in the wake of a December 2023 announcement by the World Health Organization, highlighting a grim reality in Afghanistan. From the commencement of the calendar year until now, 2,513 individuals in the country have succumbed to severe respiratory illnesses.
Compounding this health crisis, the recent political changes, with the Taliban assuming control in Afghanistan, have led to a significant portion of the populace, especially those in rural areas, grappling with limited access to healthcare services.
Furthermore, the pervasive spread of poverty among families is identified as another contributory factor, rendering individuals more susceptible to contracting various diseases.