Officials: 70% of Health Centers in Helmand Lack Buildings

Officials at the Helmand Provincial Public Health Directorate say that 70% of health centers in the province lack proper buildings, posing a serious challenge to the delivery of standard healthcare services.

According to them, since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, buildings have been constructed for 30% of these centers, but more facilities are needed to ensure full coverage.

Mohammad Nader, a doctor at the Geli Health Center in Shamalān, Babaji district, checks dozens of patients daily. He says the lack of a proper building puts patients at risk.

He stated: “Naturally, in a place with all necessary facilities, all standards are met. But here the building is unfinished, although it’s better compared to some other places.”

Residents of Babaji district say they are forced to seek healthcare at these basic centers, which are not only vulnerable to natural hazards but also suffer from a lack of medicine and equipment.

Hekmatullah, a resident of Babaji district, said: “Our demand is for a proper facility to be built here; the current building is unfinished.”

Juma Khan, another resident, added: “A proper building should be constructed for the clinic so we can benefit from its services. That would make us happy.”

Najibullah also said: “There is neither a proper place nor a suitable building. We are facing many problems.”

Dr. Naqibullah Fateh, head of Helmand’s Public Health Directorate, said: “Before the Islamic Emirate’s return to power, there were not enough buildings for health centers in Helmand. Since then, around 30% have been built, but 70% of the health centers in districts and remote areas still lack buildings.”

In many remote areas of the southern provinces, the lack of health centers has forced children, women, and the elderly to travel long distances to access even the most basic health services.

Nevertheless, officials say efforts are underway to expand healthcare services in these regions.