MSF has been supporting Boost Hospital, on the outskirts of Helmand’s provincial capital, Lashkargah, since November 2009. In recent months, as many as 300 new patients have been seen every week, almost half of whom are children.
“Paediatrics is one of the most important components of the hospital’s services,” says Dr Dorian Job, MSF’s medical coordinator in Lashkargah. “In Afghanistan, we often talk about the high levels of maternal mortality, when in fact child mortality can be up to ten times higher.”
Dr Cabral examines fourteen-month-old Guhl, while her mother looks on.
Kate Ribet/MSF
Between five and ten per cent of the patients in the paediatric ward are newborn babies, who need special attention. “We’re seeing around 20 new children a day,” says Dr Sergio Cabral, MSF’s paediatric doctor. “With only 16 beds in two wards, we’re stretched to capacity, so we have put nine extra beds in the corridor. Clearly this situation is far from ideal, which is why we are hoping to expand the paediatric ward soon.”
Dr Cabral’s main goal over the past months has been to train paediatric staff in proper diagnosis and treatment. “Even simple coaching can help to change the way patients are managed here. We’re saving children who otherwise might be misdiagnosed and given the wrong treatment.”
Fourteen-month-old Guhl was admitted two days ago with severe dehydration, malnutrition and infection. Her mother, 30-year-old Jamila, tells a story that is common among desperate parents here in Helmand: “My daughter has had diarrhoea for the last four months. We tried many private clinics that prescribed lots of different medicines which were very expensive, but nothing worked. When she became unconscious, they told me to bring her here.”
On arrival, Guhl was immediately put on a drip containing a mixture of salts, glucose and Ringer’s lactate solution. She was also given oral rehydration salts and, later, fortified milk.
“It’s a really simple treatment, but with a child as fragile as Guhl, it has to be given and monitored properly,” stresses Sergio. “We advise staff here that giving antibiotics for diarrhoea can be potentially fatal if they are prescribed incorrectly, whereas careful rehydration and feeding can be very effective. Guhl is awake and stable now. With children, small changes can mean big improvements.”
Since January 2010, over 1,500 children have received care in Boost Hospital’s paediatric department.
Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the patients.
MSF chooses to rely solely on private donations for its work in Afghanistan, and does not accept funding from any government. In addition to its support to Boost Hospital in Lashkargah, MSF currently supports Ahmed Shah Baba Hospital in east Kabul. In both locations, MSF aims to provide life-saving and free medical care using effective drugs, in areas including maternity care, paediatrics, surgery and emergency rooms.
MSF will be extending its support to hospitals and rural health centres in other provinces in Afghanistan later in 2010.