The Taliban in Afghanistan's Kandahar province has demanded the opening of health centers in unstable districts of the southern province.
The demand comes as several districts in the province are faced with a shortage of health care facilities due to insecurity.
Public Health Director Dr. Abdul Qayyum Pukhla confirmed the Taliban's demand.
"The Taliban have demanded the opening of health services in Shorabak, Registan, Mianshin, Ghorak and Shah Walikot districts," Tolo New quoted him, as saying.
Admitting that heath services at the district level were limited or non-existent, he said that the Ministry of Public
Also Read
Health should positively respond to the demand.
There are a total of 97 healthcare centers with 14 of them private in Kandahar province. Fifty of the centers are open in districts and the rest in Kandahar city, the capital of the province.
Pukhla acknowledged that given Kandahar's huge population, current health services were insufficient as most of residents were without essential facilities.
Meanwhile, Governor Hamayon Azizi asserted that the Taliban's call for providing health services to the people was positive adding, departments concerned should take advantage of the opportunity and open health centers in remote districts and border areas.
He emphasized that due to security threats it was impossible in the past to open health clinics in restive areas.
Even Public Health Minister Dr. Firozuddin Firoz said his ministry remained committed to extending health services to all people without any discrimination.
Verifying that 60 percent of Kandahar residents did not have access to health services, he pledged all-out efforts to augment medical coverage despite a shortage of funds.
He promised of building 30 sub-clinics in Kandahar province and the process of constructing a 350-bed hospital to be accelerated this year.
Residents have welcomed the Taliban's suggestion.
