MEDICAL CARE IN AFGHANISTAN

David Wu

Problems in Afghanistan Unstable governmental conditions Constant warfare Weak economic conditions

("Afghanistan…”)

Dismal Economy of Afghanistan Per Capita GDP of $1000 36% of Population below the poverty line 35% Unemployment rate

(“The World…”)

Men in Afghanistan In general, better treatment than women Troublesome process

(Faramarz)

Women in Afghanistan “Every two hours, one Afghan woman dies

from pregnancy-related causes” (“Health.”) “Women are not allowed to be seen by a male

doctor” (“Womens…”).

Wealthy in Afghanistan High rates of care-seeking

(Steinhardt)

Poor in Afghanistan Utilize Basic Packages of Health Services (BPHS) Lower rates of care-seeking if ill than the richer

(Steinhardt)

Urban Afghanistan Fair amount of hospitals Relatively able to give major care

("Hospital…”)

Rural Afghanistan Residents had to travel far distances for care Now, a few hospitals are available for minor care

("Hospital…”)

Some Good Hospital Conditions

Some Bad Hospital Conditions "Auschwitz-like" conditions with starvation

and drugless surgery (Didymus).

Treatment Availability “More than 60 percent of the population now

lives within a one-hour walking distance to the nearest health facility, an increase from nine percent in 2002” (“Health.”).

Doctors/Nurses Shortage of trained doctors

(Faramarz)

Medicine/Equipment “The main problem is the lack of medical

instruments. Without instruments, we are unable to diagnose certain kinds of illness, and that means some patients have to wait longer, or we have to send them abroad” (Faramarz).

Works Cited "Afghanistan: Conflict Profile." Insightonconflict.org. Insight on Conflict, Jan. 2013.

Web. 03 Mar. 2013. Didymus, JohnThomas. "'Auschwitz-like' Conditions at Dawood Mil. Hospital,

Afghanistan." Digitaljournal.com. Digital Journal, 29 July 2012. Web. 03 Mar. 2013. Faramarz, Abdol Wahed. "Afghan Frustration at Poor Healthcare." Http://iwpr.net.

Institute for War & Peace Reporting, 19 Aug. 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2013. "Health." Usaid.gov. USAID/Afghanistan, 3 Mar. 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2013. "Hospital Brings Health Care to Rural Afghans." Isaf.nato.int. ISAF Afghanistan

International Security Assistance Force, 21 July 2011. Web. 03 Mar. 2013. Steinhardt, L. C., H. Waters, K. D. Rao, A. J. Naeem, P. Hansen, and D. H. Peters.

"The Effect of Wealth Status on Care Seeking and Health Expenditures in Afghanistan." Health Policy and Planning 24.1 (2008): 1-17. Web.

"Womens Health in Afghanistan." Afghanmidwiferyproject.org. Afghanistan Midwifery Project, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

"The World Factbook: Afghanistan." Cia.gov. Central Intelligence Agency, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.