Whilst I am back in the UK attending the FCO leadership Conference I have invited members of the PRT and their Afghan counterparts to use my blog to talk about their work.
The first of these focuses on Health in Helmand and has been written by Sim Nemvalts from the PRT health team and Dr.Rahmatullah Mohammadi, Deputy Director from the Helmand Department of Public Health.
Siim Nemvalts – Co-Head, Health Team, Helmand PRT
The PRT Health Team supports and advises the Helmand Provincial Department of Public Health (DoPH). The DoPH has opened health clinics all over the Province to provide better access to free healthcare to the population. According to DoPH figures, 80% of the Helmand population now have access to health services. The public healthcare system in Helmand is largely functioning well. There are 58 health facilities in the Province, of which 55 are functioning and providing health services.
For me, a measure of this success is that health workers are now able to provide services in some of the more remote areas of Helmand. An example of this is the recent opening of the Washir clinic in North West Helmand where local officials returned to Lashkar Gah along the highway, using ANSF support.
There are still some equipment and staff shortages, but the situation appears to be improving. The greatest challenge for the DoPH in Helmand is lack of staff, particularly females. Helmand needs more female Doctors, Nurses and Midwives, especially in remote areas. Another challenge is capacity building, including health service planning, project management and supervision, budgeting and promoting links to national and district level.
But, in spite of this I believe that the provision of healthcare in Helmand is clearly improving. Access is at an acceptable level and the focus for development will be more towards improving the quality of healthcare delivery. It’s important to continue the progress already achieved, building on this success by supporting Local National Health Education. In 2012 the PRT Health Team will continue the transition and transfer of responsibility to DoPH.
Dr Rahmatullah Mohammadi – Deputy Director, Helmand Department of Public Health
Over the last 18 months there has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of health care that we have been able to provide for our people.
The improved security means that we have been able to reopen a number of health facilities across the Province. We have increased the availability of staff in secure areas and improved the supervision of all health our facilities.
However, challenges still remain. There are still shortages of both female health workers and equipment across Helmand, we struggle to find suitable accommodation for our staff, and as we can only pay a relatively low salary we struggle to attract staff.
But we are working to change this. One example of this is that we currently have two classes of midwives going through training. Once they have graduated they will significantly increase the access to female healthcare across Helmand.
In my opinion, the key to all of this is security. If the security situation continues to improve then we will be able to treat more patients across Helmand as a result.