SCA hospital has the best midwife in Afghanistan
At the hospital in Maidan Shar the word development becomes so tangible that you can almost touch it. Construction is going on to create space for more beds and better service. The Province Hospital has got such a good reputation that even people from the capital come here to receive care. It is only logical that it is here that you find the best midwife in Afghanistan.
Basic health care is something that every society should provide for its citizens. A right that no government should be able to escape. But in Afghanistan, with its turbulent history and with an armed conflict the state is not able to provide medical care for all.
Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) has for a long time supported health care in Afghanistan. In the province of Wardak SCA is in charge for all health service, from the smallest health post in remote areas to the provincial hospital in Maidan Shar.
Narges is a midwife, and one of the employees at the hospital. She has a curious look, but looks also a little bit tired.
– I worked at night, and so I am working again today says, Narges.
Staff has tough work schedules. Narges work six days a week, and thus has only four days off a month. On top of that, she works eight nights a month.
Narges is not only working for SCA. She was educated at a SCA midwifery school, and she has for several years been teaching at another of SCA schools for midwives. Recently she was appointed Afghanistan’s best midwife in 2016 by the Afghan Midwives Association.
-This is my contribution to society. I help to reduce maternal mortality and child mortality, says Narges.
Mohammadullah Dauran is a proud and dynamic Director of the provincial hospital in Maidan Shar. Mohammadullah line up facts and figures; surgery, pediatrics, vaccination clinic, pharmacy … 91 employees, 17 doctors, 8 midwives, 70 men and 21 women …
– When SCA took over the hospital had 40 beds. Now there are 100, and we continue to expand, says Mohammadullah Dauran.
Although the hospital has expanded there is still a lot left on the wish list. For example there is no intensive care unit. But the plan is that the new building that is under construction will house an intensive care unit. There is also need for a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist.
A new power generator is another thing on the wish list. When there is a power failure, the current generator is not really to be trusted. There is also need for more money for to hire more staff.