Residents of the southern province of Zabul say a severe shortage of health clinics and clean drinking water is putting lives at risk, and that they are calling for urgent attention from aid groups and relevant institutions.
They say limited access to free, public healthcare — combined with widespread poverty — has left many unable to seek timely medical treatment.
Abdul Qayum, 65, said he suffers from leg and eye problems while also providing for his family. “My eyesight is failing, and I have leg pain. I have no money for treatment,” he told Amu.
Others echoed his concerns. Ismail, another resident, said: “There is no drinking water, no clinic. It’s been three years. There are 5,000 families here. We don’t even have 20 afghanis ($0.30) to pay car fare to take a sick child to the city for treatment.”
Local elders urged humanitarian organizations to respond quickly. “The clinics are closed. Five thousand families are facing big problems,” said resident Ezatullah. “People don’t have the money to hire transport to take their patients to the city for care.”
Residents stressed that the shortages are not unique to Zabul, with communities in other provinces also struggling to access free, public healthcare and clean water.
