STORY: Health sector gradually recovers in post-war Afghanistan
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 29, 2024
DATELINE: Sept. 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:05
LOCATION: Kabul
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital in Kabul
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Pashto): MIR WAIS, Head of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital
3. various of the Isteqlal (Independence) hospital in Kabul
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MIR WAIS, Head of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital
5. various of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital in Kabul

STORYLINE:

Like other national infrastructures in Afghanistan, the health sector has been badly damaged due to decades of destructive wars in the war-battered country.

Although it took longer than expected to revitalize hospitals, particularly the state-run ones in the nation, the Afghan administration has been striving hard to revive the health sector.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Pashto): MIR WAIS, Head of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital
"The situation of Afghanistan is clear to everyone that the country has experienced 45 years of war. Now security has returned, which facilitates us bringing positive change in the health sector."

Nevertheless, the officials view that reviving Afghan hospitals requires more time and support from the international community.

The hospital head counted the positive changes in the hospital.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Pashto): MIR WAIS, Head of Isteqlal (Independence) hospital
"All the surgery operations are conducted via laparoscopy method in the hospital. We also have an equipped ICU ward where all patients in critical condition receive medical treatment free of charge. All the patients are satisfied with the services they receive there and it is a big achievement."

The 412-bed Isteqlal hospital with 629 staff and employees is among popular state-owned hospitals in the Afghan capital Kabul, which provided medical treatment mostly to victims of roadside bombs and suicide attacks in the past years, the official claimed, adding the hospital and its staff are currently providing medical treatment to normal patients.

Several international aid agencies including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been supporting the health sector in the war-battered Afghanistan by providing medicines and even salaries to the hospital staff.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul.
(XHTV)