This is the VOA SpecialEnglish Development Report.
Afghanistan is facing a severe health care crisis. There is notenough food, shelter and clothing for all the people. There is alsoa serious lack of health care workers. In addition, drugs, medicalequipment and fuel are in limited supply. Repairs at health centersare also needed.
The World Health Organization estimates six-million people inAfghanistan can not get any health care. Life expectancy for thepeople of Afghanistan is among the lowest in the world. Men live tobe about forty-five years old while women live to about ageforty-seven. Also, more than twenty-five percent of all children inAfghanistan die before the age of five. More than half of theseyoung children suffer from poor nutrition.
The W-H-O also says the number of women in Afghanistan who dieduring childbirth is the second highest in the world. This is partlybecause fewer than fifteen percent of all births in the country areattended by a trained health care worker.
Many humanitarian organizations are working to improve thesituation in Afghanistan. For example, the medical group Doctorswithout Borders is providing treatment and food at refugee campsalong the Afghan border. The American-based group Direct ReliefInternational has also given Afghan hospitals and medical centersmillions of dollars in medicines and supplies.
The W-H-O says many deaths could be prevented if Afghans werebetter informed, especially about pregnancy risks. Usually, malefamily members decide when a woman should visit a health center.Based on this, the W-H-O and other aid groups produced a short filmthat was shown in more than two-hundred villages. In the film, twobrothers must decide whether to take their wives to a hospital whenthe women develop problems with their pregnancies. One brother seeksmedical help for his wife, who later gives birth to two healthybabies. The other brother refuses to seek medical help and his wifedies from bleeding.
The W-H-O also is launching a new radio program to provideinformation about health and how to prevent disease. Female Afghanreporters will broadcast the radio programs two times a week. Thebroadcasts are expected to begin next month.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by JillMoss.