Child Mortality in Kandahar Drops by 13% Compared to Last Year
Officials at Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar say that with the use of modern medical equipment, they have managed to reduce the child mortality rate in the southern region from 23.5% to 9.53%.
According to the officials, in the second quarter of last year, 208 children lost their lives, while in the first quarter of this year the number dropped to 114.
The head of the pediatric ward at Mirwais Regional Hospital, Hedayatullah Hakimi, said: “In the second quarter of last year, we had 208 child deaths, which shows a 13% decrease compared to the first quarter of this year. The main reason for the reduction in mortality is the use of modern medical equipment.”
This comes as a charity organization recently donated 208 pieces of modern medical equipment worth nearly USD 300,000 to hospitals in Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgan, Helmand, Farah, and Nimroz provinces, aimed at further reducing maternal and child mortality.
Officials say the use of these devices in health centers will help bring maternal and child mortality rates even lower.
Director of Mirwais Regional Hospital, Munir Ahmad Munawer, stated: “This health assistance will make our services more standard, as modern equipment is highly beneficial in saving children’s lives.”
Chief Physician of the hospital, Abdul Qayum Ayubi, also said: “These are 208 medical devices for maternal and child health, which we were in great need of. The equipment will be distributed in Kandahar, Zabul, Helmand, as well as Uruzgan, Farah, and Nimroz provinces.”
Meanwhile, families of patients admitted to Mirwais Hospital have called on officials to provide more attention to children’s health.
One patient’s relative, Khudaidad, said: “I brought my sick child here and they are receiving treatment, but facilities and resources must be increased further.”
Health workers note that poor access to healthcare centers, low literacy, poverty, and delays in reaching medical facilities are the main causes behind the high rate of child illnesses and deaths.
