Major drop in polio cases; New health center building inaugurated in Helmand

Dr. Suraya Dalil

Yesterday, officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Health announced that the number of people infected with polio has reduced 37% since 2009. While polio is not an issue in the West, the disease disables and kills many people in developing countries like Afghanistan. Acting Health Minister, Dr. Suraya Dalil said the reduction is due to successful and well-planned vaccination campaigns across the country. Her ministry had launched 4 rounds of anti-polio drives each year to deal with the disease. “At all the state-run clinics and hospitals, the government has provided anti-polio, TB, hepatitis B, Tetanus, influenza and chickenpox vaccine,” she said. She also said that in a bid to further decrease child mortality, they will expand the government’s vaccination program.

Also yesterday, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, provincial governor Mohammad Gulab Mangal cut the ribbon at a ceremony inaugurating a new building which will serve as a public health center. The 18 room facility is fully-equipped to provide first aid and emergency services to residents in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province. The new building took 6 months to build at a cost of $275,000.

January 10, 2011 · admin · One Comment
Posted in: Health News, Reconstruction and Development