GARDEZ (SW): A number of midwives in Paktya province are reluctant to work in far away remote areas due to low wages and insecurity.
The difference in amount of salary offered to the midwives and insecurity in far away areas have compelled the midwives, who are already less in numbers, to confine themselves to the urban centre in the provincial capital Gardez.
Frishta, a nursing gradate from Paktia, said that when a nurse earns more money in the city, she naturally prefers to work there rather than taking the risk in rural areas. She further stated that compared to the rural areas, a nurse can find better job opportunities in urban areas. Frishta noted that unlike a nurse who earns $250 in rural area, nurses in the city can easily make up to $500 on monthly basis, which is sufficient to make ends meet at home.
Acknowledging this very fact, Dr. Nazdana, the former head of public health department in the province, stated that most graduated nurses and midwives do not like to serve in rural areas.
Sher Mohammad Naqashbandi, the head for public health department in the province, however stated that nurses are paid equally across the province. He noted that some international NGOs hire nurses and pay them higher amount. He stressed that there is dire need for more and qualified nurses across the province.
As many as 65 female nurses and trained midwives are working in Patika province for the time being.
ENDS
