The Turkmenistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that three female physicians have been deployed to Afghanistan to help Afghan women with their health, at a time when worries about women’s lack of access to healthcare are growing.
According to a government announcement, the physicians who were sent out have begun offering medical care to Afghan women at the Turghandi Maternity Hospital in the province of Herat.
The Turghandi Maternity Hospital was under construction until May 3rd, during which time the government of Turkmenistan delivered supplies to outfit the facility with medical equipment and medication. Female physicians from Turkmenistan were not yet deployed.
According to reports, female Turkmen physicians will continue to work there till the end of this month.
Turkmenistan’s foreign ministry has emphasised the need of continuing to provide humanitarian help to the people of Afghanistan during these trying times.
In 2016, the Turkmenistan government provided funding for the construction and opening of the Turghandi Maternity Hospital.
At least 50% of Afghans living in isolated rural regions lack access to healthcare, according to Qalandar Ebad, acting minister of health for Afghanistan.
Under the Taliban’s control in Afghanistan, the absence of adequate facilities and health care, particularly for women and children, is regarded as a significant problem.
The Taliban still want assistance from the international world for Afghanistan’s healthcare system even though they forbid Afghan women from working for governments and non-governmental organisations.
Afghanistan now has the highest maternal death rate in the world, a situation that might become worse if resources and facilities become even more scarce.