Girls in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province are suffering from anemia, saying that the consequences of the condition are presenting them with serious challenges. They add that ensuring a steady supply of anemia medication is difficult for them.
Yasamin, a 20-year-old girl from Ghazni, shares that her years-long struggle with anemia has left her frequently fatigued and low on energy, with visible symptoms of anemia affecting her skin.
She says, “I am always tired, often have headaches, and I can tell when I am anemic because my skin becomes dry and I feel very thirsty. I don’t know much about what I should eat, but my skin is pale, and I have no energy.”
Some other women in Ghazni suffering from anemia, express difficulty in accessing anemia medication at government health centers.
Zahra says, “I usually develop anemia every two to three months. The anemia medicine I take helps a little, but there is no anemia medication at the clinic. I get headaches, and my hands become weak and immobile.”
Giti also says, “Our request to the government is to distribute anemia tablets to people for free. When you go to the hospital, they give you only a few tablets, which are gone in two days. Government hospitals and clinics should have more medicine available.”
However, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Sahebzada, a physician in Ghazni, explains that anemia among girls has several causes. Poor nutrition and menstruation are among the key factors.
“For young girls, the menstrual cycle itself can cause blood loss and lead to anemia. Additionally, poor diet, inadequate iron intake, and lack of folic acid are contributing factors. Often, people neglect their health and don’t seek medical care until the blood loss becomes severe. Lab tests are rarely done. Anemia can be managed with proper medication and by eating foods that are rich in iron and essential nutrients, which are critical for blood production,” he explained.
Anemia is a common disease in developing countries, but girls are more vulnerable to it due to genetic and hormonal factors. To combat this, there is a need for awareness and support programs from the Ministry of Public Health.
