FAIZABAD (Afghanistan): Officials of a provincial hospital in the northeastern province of Badakhshan confirm that the hospital’s 60-bed maternity ward has stopped functioning.
Dr. Shafiq Hamdard, the hospital’s director, told Afghanistan Afghan News that the hospital’s 60-bed maternity ward has suspended operations after not receiving a budget from the World Health Organization (WHO).
He said: “We have shared the issue with the concerned entities but it is yet to be substantiated.”
He claimed that maternal mortality had increased in the province after the department stopped functioning.
The WHO supported the maternity hospital after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan took power, however the department stopped functioning eight days ago due to non-payment of the WHO budget, he explained.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Health also confirmed the suspension of this department, but did not provide further details.
However, some sources said 73 employees lost their jobs after the department was closed.
kk/ma
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