Mission Afghanistan
Statistics
Infant mortality: 257 ‰
Life expectancy at birth: 35.5 years
HDI: n.a.
Rank: n.a.
Real GDP/inhabitant ($): 206
Population benefiting
directly from the project in Kabul: 36 000
Personnel
Expatriates: 2; local staff: 26
Sources of financing:
budget: 2006-2007
€266,952
Attempts are continuing to normalize conditions and achieve security in Afghanistan. A new stage in the process of political reconstruction was successfully completed with the parliamentary elections held in September 2005, but there are still many challenges. The difficulties involved in institutional and socio-economic reconstruction remain a real challenge, both for the Afghan authorities and for the international community. In addition, under plans by financial backers to rebuild the health system, primary health care services will be subcontracted to NGOs. After conducting a study which revealed the failure to give sufficient responsibility to the Afghan medical personnel, MdM decided not to take part in this type of privatization.
Prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C in Kabul
Activities:
Members of the Médecins du Monde team chat to a heroin addict in Kabul on 14 November 2006.
Copyright: Jacky Naegelen / Reuters
MdM is conducting a risk reduction programme for drug addicts, to prevent a probable explosion in the Aids epidemic.
This programme includes:
• a mobile unit made up of Afghan health workers trained by MdM which provides support at the local level by going to meet drug users on the streets, to raise their awareness of the risks.
• a clinic open to all, was set up at the end of September 2006. It offers awareness campaigns for drug users, needle exchange programmes, first-aid and hygiene services, advice, an HIV prevention unit, and will eventually offer a heroin substitution programme.
This mission began in April 2006 with an accurate assessment of requirements on site. The team met 200 drug addicts, mainly men aged 18-72, who had very often lost touch with their relations and family and had been forcibly enlisted in an army. "The state or the war lords offered them hashish or opium to put up with the war and their wounds. Others suffered from the overcrowding and destitution of the refugee camps for several years and turned to opiates for relief", explains Patrick Beauverie, a pharmacist.
July 2007