Women in remote districts of Badakhshan province report that they cannot access healthcare services or female doctors for gynecological and obstetric issues during the cold season. They say the situation worsens as temperatures drop and roads become impassable.
Badakhshan residents cite several major challenges, including a shortage of healthcare centers, a lack of female specialists, and limited medicine supplies. They also mention that the routes to healthcare centers are long and difficult, with some patients losing their lives while being transported to medical facilities.
In these remote districts, women face a severe shortage of female doctors and gynecologists. Due to cultural norms, they feel embarrassed discussing female health issues with male doctors and find it difficult to openly explain their conditions.
Rayhana (pseudonym), a resident of Maimay district, explains that healthcare centers are far away and lack female doctors and essential medicines. As a result, she and others are often forced to travel to Fayzabad, the provincial capital, even for minor health concerns.
She adds, “When our children fall ill, doctors tell us to take them to Fayzabad. The roads are in poor condition, making the journey very difficult. There is no organized healthcare facility here to address women’s and children’s health problems. The roads are bad, and traveling to Fayzabad is a real challenge. We need a large, well-equipped clinic here. Our region is underdeveloped and lacks healthcare facilities.”
Marwa, a resident of Wakhan district, points out that the lack of female doctors is the most serious issue for women in her district. She explains that women are forced to travel between districts and are uncomfortable sharing their health concerns with male doctors due to feelings of shame and hesitation.
She adds, “There is no female doctor here to whom we can turn, and there are no quality medicines. We feel embarrassed discussing personal health issues with male doctors. Sometimes, we have to travel to other districts, which is costly. But even then, none of the districts have a specialist gynecologist or female doctor to address our needs.”
These women express frustration with the lack of adequate services. They report traveling long distances to find a female doctor and waiting for hours, but sometimes, they return home without receiving any medical care after waiting all day.
In addition, some residents of remote Badakhshan districts confirm that due to the absence of female specialists, people are forced to transport patients from one district to another or Fayzabad City. Because of the long distances and difficult routes, some patients die en route.
Rahmanullah, a community elder in Kuf Ab district, says the lack of midwives and female doctors is a critical healthcare issue. He adds, “We face numerous health problems. The main issue is the absence of gynecologists, which we don’t have at all. If a woman’s gynecological condition becomes critical, we have to transfer her to the Nasay district. In many cases, patients die on the way.”
Most districts in Badakhshan are mountainous, with poorly maintained, challenging roads. Residents report that snowfall begins in many areas before winter, and all roads are blocked for weeks when heavy snow falls. In such conditions, people cannot even travel between villages, and if a patient faces a serious issue, they have no choice but to endure the pain.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
ممنوعیتهای طالبان؛ زنان در مناطق دوردست بدخشان به داکتر زن دسترسی ندارند | روزنامه ۸صبح
