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MAIDAN WARDAK (SW) – The Taliban rebels have forced closure of public and charity-run health centers in Maidan Wardak province.
Sharifullah Hotak, member of the provincial council, said the Taliban insurgents issued warning to health officials across the province to close down health centers until further notice. He added the situation has turned dire as patients now have no choice but to travel hundreds of miles to neighboring Kabul or Ghazni provinces for treatment.
According to Nader Naderi, director public hospital in the province, more than 400 patient visit this facility on daily basis. He added all are now made to wait outside.
The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) announced in a statement that it has been forced to close 42 health centers in the province. Categorically blaming the Taliban for the closure, the charity said an estimated number of over 5,700 patients are affected on daily basis.
“Forcing SCA to close health facilities hence denying people to receive medical treatment and health services is an obvious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, says Sonny Mansson, SCA country director. “We demand immediate reopening of all health facilities for the people and we strongly urge all parties involved in conflict to refrain from such actions which deliberately puts civilian lives at risk”, he added.
There has been no immediate reaction from the Taliban on this matter.
This comes as an agreement was reached at the Intra-Afghan dialogue in Qatar that violence would be reduced and public places such as hospitals, religious places and others would not be attacked.
ENDS
