| Project | Comprehensive Health Clinic |
| Objectives | • To respond to emergency, primary and reproductive health (RH) needs • To implement the Extended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) to combat polio and measles as well as the Integrated Management of Child Illness (IMCI) programme to decrease child mortality in the catchment area • To set up a Direct Observation Treatment System (DOTS) room where, in addition to medication, food is also distributed to tuberculosis patients |
| Project Partners | Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) of Afghanistan |
| Activities | • Attend to a large number of outpatient department (OPD) and reproductive health (RH) cases on a daily basis • Laboratory examinations and ultrasound scanning • Expended Programme of Immunisation (EPI) via a mobile team • Health education which include topics like infection prevention, early detection of TB and the benefits of vaccination |
| Locations | Kandahar City, Afghanistan |
| Period | Ongoing since 2005 |
| Accomplishments | • 72,498 patients were attended to at the Comprehensive Health Clinic (CHC) in 2011 • Around 6,529 lab exams were done, allowing the identification of up to 18 types of diseases • Some 43,157 women and children were immunised with BCG, TT, OPV, DPT, Hep B, Hib and measles vaccines • A total of 104 healthy/normal deliveries |
BACKGROUND
For almost ten years, Afghanistan has been involved in a conflict that has tormented the civilian population, with targeted killings, suicide bombings and armed opposition/military operations a norm in everyday life. In 2001, MERCY Malaysia started its operations in Kandahar City, Afghanistan focusing more on reproductive health due to the lack of existing healthcare provision in the city. As an expansion to the mother and child health facility, a Comprehensive Health Clinic (CHC) was opened in District 3 of the city. This was done upon the request of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in 2005.
MERCY MALAYSIA’S EFFORTS
The CHC continued in 2011 as in previous years, delivering high standard reproductive health necessities with a complete set of labour room equipment and ultrasound facilities. Although the security level in Kandahar Province remains unstable, MERCY Malaysia’s Afghan team has continued its mission in a challenging and often dangerous environment with admirable courage and devotion.