Emergency trauma kits with medicines and equipment are prepared for delivery to Kunduz (Photo: WHO/S.Ramo)Kabul 7 October 2015 – In close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and partners, WHO works to ensure that essential medical equipment and supplies reach Kunduz province. A medical team of doctors, nurses, anaesthesiologists and surgeons arrived at the military hospital in Kunduz on Monday and are providing health services. WHO also sent a trauma kit containing essential medicines and supplies for 100 surgeries to the Kunduz Regional Hospital.
Fighting continues in the province and access to Kunduz City remains highly restricted, hampering aid delivery. It is estimated that 10 00 families are displaced in the northeastern region.
Limited access to health services in Kunduz is a significant concern. 3 nurses and an ambulance driver are currently working in the regional hospital but there is a serious shortage of food for patients and staff inside the hospital.
“Providing adequate health services to Kunduz City is a priority. Identifying and responding to the needs of growing numbers of internally displaced persons in the region is also crucial,” said Dr Richard Peeperkorn, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. “WHO plans to establish a temporary health facility in the area with the Ministry of Public Health. We are supporting ongoing assessments in the area and ensuring essential medical supplies reach Kunduz,” he said.
The conflict escalated in the northeastern region on 28 September with an attack by non-state armed groups on Kunduz City. The conflict has resulted in multiple civilian casualties, major disruptions in health service provision and large-scale displacement of people to northern provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar and Balkh.
