AFGHANISTAN
INTERSOS INTERVENTION
During these months, we have adapted our intervention to the COVID-19 emergency. Our usual health and nutrition activities continue, with particular attention to malnourished people who are most at risk in case of contagion, and we have implemented further activities oriented to the prevention and management of COVID-19 cases. We have provided support to some healthcare facilities regarding the preparedness and response measures to the virus, also providing training to the healthcare staff. We also carried out consultations aimed at identifying positive cases in health centers, hygiene-health awareness sessions on good practices to follow and demonstrations on hand cleaning. In order to reduce the possibility of contagion, we are also distributing sanitation kits. The protection activities continue, with a focus on the stigma linked to COVID-19 and information sessions on the prevention of the virus, but also through the distribution of kits for school learning and cash assistance. In recent months we are experiencing an increase in vulnerable cases that need support. In June, we launched vocational training at Community level, which includes the artisan production of masks.
HIGHLIGHTS
6
primary health centers supported with COVID-19 preparedness and response measures
7.992
consultations in primary health centers with COVID-19 patient flow
1.915
people reached by hygiene awareness
352
sanitation kits distributed
CONTEXT
Afghanistan has a very weak health system and limited capacity to deal with major disease outbreaks. Besides, its close geographical proximity to other affected countries puts it at heightened risk, with tens of thousands of people and commercial movements across borders to neighbouring countries. At the beginning of august, the number of infected people exceeded 36,000. More than 10% of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases are among healthcare staff. The real number is bigger, but difficult to estimate. Many cases have not referred or sought treatment due to lack of awareness or stigma existing among communities and families. Only symptomatic people are tested for COVID-19 and the delay on the test’s response takes several days, due to insufficient laboratories. Hospitals report challenges maintaining or expanding their facilities’ capacity to treat patients with COVID-19. These challenges are related to the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and medical supplies. The number of trained staff –is limited and the situation is further exacerbated by the number of frontline staff falling ill. Despite the extension of the lockdown in main cities, the movement of people continues as before the pandemic with very limited use of masks. There is an increase in security incidents and the number of checkpoints, which strongly impacts operations.