OIC-funded clinics handed over to MoPH

KABUL (PAN): Fourteen Basic Health Centres (BHCs), constructed with financial support from the OIC Assistance Fund for Afghan People, were formally handed over to government authorities on Wednesday.

Ata Mannan Al-Bakhit, assistant general secretary of OIC, handed over the BHC keys to Public Health Minister Dr. SMA Fatimie. These clinics built last year are located in Kabul, Parwan, Laghman, Balkh, Bamyan, Panjsher and Takhar provinces

The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) supported the construction of 22 BHCs in 2007 in 11 provinces of the country. One BHC -- still under construction -- will be completed soon.

Each Basic Health Centre, the ministry said in a statement, was staffed by health professionals and provided the services envisioned in the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS).

The delivery of BPHS has improved remarkably over the last four years. In order to reach Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5, coverage and quality of care in the area of MCH services must be further improved," the minister said.

With the support of partners and donors, he added, the ministry was trying to increase access to and utilization of BPHS. "The newly constructed BHCs will help us reach the goal of increasing access of poor people to primary health care," Mr. Fatimie hoped.