Pusht Rod clinic saves lives, fosters governance

FARAH, AFGHANISTAN

12.29.2009

Story by 2nd Lt. Karl Wiest 

Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah

FARAH, Afghanistan — The Farah Provincial Health Director, Dr. Abdul Jabar, performed a clinic assessment of the Chin Afghani Clinic in the Pusht Rod District of Farah province, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2009. He was very pleased not only with what he observed during his inspection, but also the democratic practices that have stemmed from the clinic over the past several months.

The clinic is where thousands of local residents go to be seen by Afghan medical providers, but it is also the site of a regularly held medical Shura, where medical personnel meet to discuss public health concerns in order to elevate their district level issues to provincial government representatives, such as Dr. Jabar.

For example, one of the issues recently discussed by the council was the quality of their water. After debating their options, the respected assembly forwarded their concerns up to the next level of government and Dr. Jabar immediately began to act on their behalf to fix the problem.

"I hope other districts in Farah province take note of the example set here in Pusht Rod," said Dr. Jabar. "When they have problems at the district level, they convene the Shura, they discuss their options, and then they up-channel the results to the provincial government for us to act on their behalf when necessary. I think that's exactly what a government is supposed to do."

And he's right.

But good governmental practices are not the only reason other districts should take note of the 15 year old Chin Afghani Clinic.

The staff there keeps family medical records in Family Health Booklets, a rare practice, especially in the rural regions of Afghanistan. The booklets track the immunizations and prescriptions given to each family member by the staff at the clinic. Moreover, they help to give the medical provider a documented medical history for a patient when he or she comes in with a problem.

"The booklets help ensure that I have all the information I need to make a diagnosis," said Dr. Fazil Ghani, a doctor at the clinic. "And the more information I get, the more effectively I can help the patient."

One of the specific items listed in the Family Health Booklets for progressive female patients, again, as far as rural Afghanistan is concerned, is "birth spacing" information or a prescription history for oral contraceptives. The goal here is for Afghan women to not have a baby every single year; instead the supply of contraceptives from the clinic helps a woman space out when she has a child.

"This clinic is a symbol," said Dr. Jabar. "It represents the faith and hard work of these Afghans. It shows that progress is being made and it gives us hope that one day everyone here will work together for a better way of life."

• Date Taken: 12.29.2009
• Date Posted: 01.03.2010 09:43
• Story ID: 43413
• Location: FARAH, AF