Radio discussion on health situation of children & youth in Balkh Province, Afghanistan (6 September 2013)

Radio discussion to enhance the awareness of people on children health status in Balkh Province and to influence decision making bodies on provision of quality access to basic health service. The item aired on September 10, 16 and 23 and repeated next days of each in the Dehdadid and Kholm districts of Balkh Province including Mazar-e Sharif city.

Summary: The MRMV team raised the following discussion points: a. What services have the government provided for the district residents up to now? b. How is women access to hospitals? c. And how is the vaccination service for women and children in your area? Generally, the participants showed satisfacttion with provided services in the field of health but suggested some issues such as equipping the district hospitals with free medicines for patients and expanding the number of expert staff in the clinics and hospitals as Dr Maleha Aziz Manager of District Hospital of Kholm says “since we do not have Orthopedist and Dentist we refer relevant patients to the Regional Hospital in Mazar-e Sharif”.

Participants: • Ali Ahmad Sahab Trainer/ Focal Point of ACSFo for MRMV Project • Dr Abdul Khaliq Head of Dehdadi Hospital, • Dr Maleha Manager of Kholm District Hospital, • Asadullah Sharifi Manager of Capacity Building Department of Balkh Public Health Directorate • Edris Akrami Member of youth provincial group Kholm District, • Firuz Noori Member of district youth group, Mazar-e Sharif, • Salima Rahimi Member of community youth group, Arab-ha village of Dehdadi District.