Largest-ever delivery of medicines and health supplies to Afghanistan

Yesterday, UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission In Afghanistan) reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) is “conducting the largest-ever delivery of medicines and health supplies to Afghanistan, sending 430 tonnes of life-saving materials – enough for 1 million people – to health providers throughout the country.” The health supplies will be given to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health and its implementing non-governmental organization (NGO) health partners. According to the report: “The medical supplies are sufficient to cover the immediate health needs of 1 million people. These include treating at least 1000 major (and a larger number of minor) casualties; 170,000 cases of pneumonia and other respiratory diseases endemic to the Afghan winter; and 40,000 cases of life-threatening diarrheal diseases. In addition, WHO has procured equipment needed for four complete Intensive Care Units, which will be established in existing hospitals to prepare remote, underserved communities.”