Mediaboss Marketing

On September 6th opened the new pediatric ward of Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar. A rehabilitated structure standing proudly in the hospital compound, among the trees that provide a welcoming shade from what has been a blistering hot summer. As the last drop of fresh paint dried up, young patients were wheeled in from the old ward into the new one.

The old pediatric ward was located in the main structure of the hospital compound. There were 93 beds spread across the second floor of the building. Most of these beds had to be shared between at least two patients. The new pediatric ward is now a building on its own, with 157 beds spread across three floors. The increased space now allows to have proper isolation areas for children with highly infective diseases such as measles, tuberculosis or meningitis. There is also a day care unit for those suffering from Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder - very frequent in Southern Afghanistan - that requires frequent and regular blood transfusions. But the pride of the new ward is the 30 bed Neonatal unit which including 11 incubators, 6 warmer cots and new modern equipment that provide quality assistance for the babies, especially the premature, and at same time is a space for mothers, promoting breastfeeding and healthy maternal habits.

This is a cause for celebration. The long awaited rehabilitation of what was once a nursing school, gave way to a larger facility whose sole purpose is to provide children with the free medical care they so desperately need. With it came a considerable effort to increase of staff and more equipment.

Yet there was no time to celebrate. Within the first month, the new and larger ward was already full and new patients kept coming in from all provinces in the Southern Region. "Receiving new patients and having the ability to help them is the best part of the job" says Shagofa, a female pediatric nurse working in the neonatal unit. "We are very happy with the new ward, but we are already looking forward to having more equipment and facilities as we are already over capacity."

While in the end there has been no time to celebrate the opening of the new pediatric ward at Mirwais Hospital, the successful treatment of each and every child is a celebration in itself, just as much for the families as for the pediatric staff such as Shagofa.

See also :

Afghanistan news

The rest is here:
Afghanistan: New children's ward at Mirwais Hospital already over capacity - ICRC (press release)