Health
Afghanistan makes progress toward polio eradication
One year on from Afghanistan’s transition of power in August 2021, the polio eradication programme in Afghanistan has made critical gains – but the job is far from finished.
Wild poliovirus transmission in Afghanistan is currently at its lowest level in history.
Fifty six children were paralysed by wild poliovirus in 2020. In 2021, the number fell to four. This year to date, only one child has been paralysed by the virus, giving the country an extraordinary opportunity to end polio, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.
The resumption of nationwide polio vaccination campaigns targeting 9.9 million children has been a critical step.
With access to the entire country following the August transition, seven nationwide vaccination campaigns took place between November 2021 and June 2022, and a sub national campaign targeting 6.7 million children in 28 provinces took place in July.
Of the 3.6 million children who had been inaccessible to the programme since 2018, 2.6 million were reached during the November, December and January campaigns.
With improving reach to previously inaccessible children during subsequent campaigns, the number of missed children has been reduced to 0.7 million.
Additional campaigns are planned for the remainder of the year.
With Afghanistan and Pakistan sharing one epidemiological block, the two countries continue to coordinate cross border activities. December and May’s campaigns were synchronized with Pakistan’s national campaigns, focusing on high-risk populations including nomadic groups, seasonal workers and communities straddling both borders, WHO reported.
Qatar Red Crescent Society on Saturday signed an agreement with the Afghan Red Crescent Society for the treatment of 169 children suffering from congenital heart defects.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Saleh Ibrahim, Director of Relief and International Development Division at Qatar Red Crescent Society, and Matiulhaq Khalis, the acting head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
At the signing ceremony, Khalis appreciated the continuous support of the Qatar Red Crescent Society.
In the past two years, the Afghan Red Crescent Society has referred 3,094 children suffering from congenital heart defects to local hospitals for treatment.
Thousands of other children suffering from the disease are waiting for treatment.
Afghanistan launched a polio vaccination campaign on Monday aimed at protecting around 10.72 million children under the age of 5, the Health Ministry announced.
The four-day campaign will cover 31 of the country’s 34 provinces.
Vaccinations in Ghor, Daikundi and Bamiyan provinces will be implemented later due to recent rains and cold weather, the ministry said in a statement.
“Together with our partners, we are committed to eradicating polio from Afghanistan,” said Dr Qalandar Ebad, the acting minister of public health.
“We will work tirelessly and continue polio vaccination campaigns and complementary health services until we reach the goal of fully eradicating polio.”
The ministry urged religious scholars and local elders to cooperate with vaccine providers to fight polio, a debilitating disease that can lead to paralysis and death.
In December, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the repatriation of migrants from neighboring Pakistan has increased the risk of spreading the virus. Since then, Afghanistan has conducted at least three rounds of nationwide vaccinations.
Vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan and Pakistan often face challenges due to conspiracy theories that polio vaccines cause infertility or that vaccinators are spies.
Acting Minister of Public Health Qalandar Ebad, in a meeting with Azerbaijan’s ambassador, Ilham Mohammadov, called for the country’s assistance in improving the capacity of Afghanistan’s health workers.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in the health sector, capacity building of Afghan health workers, and Azerbaijan’s role in the health sector and other issues, according to a statement released by the Public Health Ministry.
Azerbaijan’s envoy said that his country seeks to cooperate with Afghanistan in a sustainable manner in the field of health.
In other news, the foundation stone for the construction of oxygen production facility was laid at the Indira Gandhi children hospital in Kabul.
Officials of the Ministry of Public Health said that the facility will be built with the financial and technical assistance of the World Health Organization, and with the capacity to produce 200 cylinders of oxygen daily to meet not only the needs of the hospital, but also other health facilities.
Tahawol: Concerns over spread of floods in the country discussed
Recent floods leave 540 dead in Afghanistan: UN
Helicopter carrying Iran’s President Raisi crashes in mountains
Rosemary DiCarlo meets with acting head of DAB
Islamabad wants Beijing to talk to Kabul about terrorism, Pakistani minister says
Afghanistan announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rashid Khan named AWCC’s brand ambassador
New Zealand to go ahead with Afghanistan cricket Test
Afghanistan beat Iraq 5-3, inch closer to Futsal World Cup berth
Afghanistan qualify for FIFA Futsal World Cup for first time ever
Tahawol: Concerns over spread of floods in the country discussed
Tahawol: Killing of 3 foreign tourists in Bamyan province
Saar: Efforts to solve Afghanistan’s political issue discussed
Exclusive interview with Indrika Ratwatte, deputy head of UNAMA
Tahawol: Deputy PM’s meeting with Chinese ambassador discussed
-
Climate Change5 days agoSummer 2023 was the hottest in 2,000 years, study says
-
Sport5 days agoStubbs gives Delhi IPL play-off hope with win in last league match
-
Business5 days agoAfghanistan’s imports and exports totaled $10.3 billion last year
-
World4 days agoManhunt underway after gunmen ambush French prison van to free drug dealer
-
Regional5 days agoWorld Court to hold hearings over Israel’s Rafah attacks
-
World4 days agoEU adds Russian media outlets to sanctions list despite Kremlin warning
-
Latest News4 days agoTorkham crossing closes temporarily to travelers
-
Sport4 days agoSorkh Poshan Khafi and Sarsabz Yashlar win in ACL matches