Health Projects For Afghans
Mansehra Health Programme
In 1979, CWS-P/A began the Mansehra Health Project for Afghan refugees residing in North Western Frontier Province (NWFP). This was a part of the Inter Aid Committee programme in response to a request from the Government of Pakistan. The refugee camps lacked basic amenities such as running water and a functioning sewage system, which became the root cause of serious health problems including a high incidence of infant and maternal mortality rate, amongst other things.
The situation was made worse by a lack of healthcare and hygiene. Through this project, primary healthcare, Mother and Child Health (MCH) services, reproductive health services and health education to Afghan refugees were provided.
Currently 3 basic health units are delivering health care at Barari, Khaki and Ichrian refugee camps. An estimated number of 2,000 patients are treated on a monthly basis and the health centres cover a population of approximately 63,000. Volunteer community health workers play a significant role in promoting community participation in health related activities. CWS-P/A, UNHCR and Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) fund this project.
Nangarhar Health Project:
Nangarhar is located in the eastern region of Afghanistan. Jalalabad, the provincial capital is about 150 Km east of Kabul. According to the National Health Policy 2005-2009, Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates (140/1000). Under 5 years of age, the mortality rate is (230/1000) and maternal deaths, including pre and post natal, are approximately (1,600/100,000).
One of the reasons behind this is that decades of war and unrest have resulted in the destruction of the country’s infrastructure and social sector. Moreover, a chronic shortage of qualified female doctors hampers the women gaining access to proper health care.
In 1997, to address this dire need, CWS-P/A set up a primary healthcare project in Nangarhar province with its main office in Jalalabad. CWS-P/A Nangarhar Health Project provides both preventive and curative healthcare to the communities and returning refugees in Nangarhar Province. This project is a joint venture between CWS-P/A and BPRM. It provides health assistance in 2 districts of Nangarhar province with a population of 195,253. The project is functioning through 4 Basic Health Centres (BHC) and 2 Comprehensive Health Centres (CHC).
Mansehra Health Programme
Nangarhar Health Project:
