Almost all international support has ceased, and it seems that the situation will only get worse for the health workers and the millions of people they serve in the life-saving facilities of this crisis-torn country.
However, as a midwife recalled in an exclusive interview with United Nations News, support for medical workers began to emerge due to a groundbreaking new agreement led by the United Nations Development Programme.
Support the lifeline of the family
In the past few weeks, the United Nations Development Program has quietly provided a lifeline to Afghanistan’s health system and all the families that depend on it in accordance with the agreement reached with the Global Fund, providing 15 million U.S. dollars to avoid the collapse of the entire system.
The midwife said: “We can save the lives of most critically ill patients, and we can provide hospitalization support for more than 500 women and children.”
As the weather changed from warm autumn to cold winter, she finally had the ability to use some of the wages she received one after another to buy some blankets and other supplies to ensure that her family would spend the winter safely.
This midwife is just one of more than 23,000 health workers in nearly 2,200 medical institutions in 31 provinces. They have received wages since the implementation of the plan. UNDP also paid for medicines and health care supplies.
The UN Deputy Resident Representative in Afghanistan, Surayao Buzurukova, told UN News that UNDP has accepted this huge challenge to help prevent a total collapse of the health system.
“Of course, this does not solve all problems; what we provide is a temporary solution. But it helps. We are sending a message of hope to the Afghan people that not everything is lost, they are not forgotten. “
Complex logistics procedures
UNDP stated that this is an important financial assistance program for the health sector. Before it was launched, less than 20% of these sanitation facilities were fully operational.
Buzurukova pointed out that all medical workers who received salaries were confirmed by members of 16 civil society organizations that contributed to the World Bank’s funding of the Afghan health care project “Sehatmandi” (Sehatmandi). contribute.
In order to overcome the obstacles caused by the shortage of liquidity in the Afghan banking system, the agency had to combine several cash transfer tools.
More than 90% of medical staff deposit their wages directly into their bank accounts; those who do not have a bank account and are usually located in remote areas will receive their wages in cash.
Buzulukova said that the remaining 25,000 health workers will receive their wages by Thursday.
Keep working
Millions of vulnerable Afghans continue to face the risk of losing access to primary health care, and UNDP hopes that other aid agencies will join this innovative initiative to keep health care in this crisis-ravaged country.
Buzulukova said that UNDP maintains “very close communication” with the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
She stated that they will continue to make payments. “We are sharing best practices and we are sharing all the lessons.”
The monthly salary of health workers in Afghanistan ranges from $150 for technicians, vaccinators, administrators, or nurses to about $700 for professional doctors or surgeons.
Since about 800,000 civil servants have not received their salaries for several months, the project has also opened the door to help other groups whose work is the key to keeping the country running, such as judges and teachers.
© UNICEF/Frank Dejongh
A child is vaccinated against polio in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.
solution
The sudden interruption of foreign funding is threatening the entire economy, but many international organizations and countries that provide assistance are still reluctant to cooperate with the Taliban authorities.
As early as October, UN Secretary-General Guterres urged the international community to “find ways to revitalize the economy.”
He believes that this “can be done without violating international law or the principle of compromise.”
He emphasized: “We must find ways to create conditions so that Afghan professionals and civil servants can continue to serve the Afghan people.”
Buzulukova said that the UNDP initiative now offers a possible, albeit temporary solution.
She said: “We did not contact the de facto authorities because they are not recognized by the international community. We hope to directly provide help and support to doctors and nurses who deal with the people.”
“Tomorrow will be a new day”
Buzurukova recently returned from Mazār-i-Sharīf (Mazār-i-Sharīf), the fourth largest city in Afghanistan, where she visited a hospital and witnessed the impact of the new initiative. She also talked with female medical workers in particular.
She said it’s great to see women continue to work.
Since the Taliban took over power, women’s rights have been one of the areas of greatest concern to the United Nations, but Buzulukova still has hope for the future.
The visit to Mazar-i-Sharif is part of a series of visits she has conducted since August 15. She described talking with people on the street, entering people’s houses and talking with their family members.
She recalled: “I was moved by their strength. They have confidence in the future and they will overcome challenges; tomorrow will come, maybe not soon, but it will come in the end.”
© UNFPA Afghanistan
A midwife in a family health hospital is providing nursing care in Afghanistan.
Humanitarian crisis
Forty years of war, recurring natural disasters, prolonged poverty, drought and the new crown pandemic have dealt a huge blow to the Afghan people.
The recent escalation of conflict and the resulting turmoil will only intensify people’s needs and further complicate the extremely challenging environment.
Even before August 15, the humanitarian situation was one of the worst in the world. By the middle of the year, nearly half of the population, about 18.4 million people, already needed humanitarian assistance and protection.
One-third of Afghans are facing crisis or emergency food insecurity, and more than half of children under five are expected to face severe malnutrition.
The protection and safety risks faced by civilians, especially women, children and the disabled, have also reached a record high.
The Secretary-General launched an urgent appeal in September to raise US$606 million to avoid imminent hunger and disease. So far, only 54% of the funds are in place.