Hundreds of Afghans medically treated by GIRoA Public Health Officials

Public Health Officers (PHO) from the Ministry of Public Health travelled to the village of Khorma Leq in Farah Province, Afghanistan, in order to conduct a Village Medical Outreach Program (VMOP) at the local health clinic, July 19.

Medical evaluations and medications were provided by the PHOs, where approximately 200-300 residents of the village were medically treated. Stations were arranged at the clinic where an individual would be evaluated by a PHO, followed by receiving a specific prescription if necessary. An array of medical supplies and medications were distributed to include dental hygiene products, antibiotics, and analgesics.

The VMOP provided an opportunity for the Government Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) medical officials to broaden their influence by reaching out to remote villages outside of Farah City. The PHOs gave villagers a firsthand look at the services their government can offer. In addition, the VMOP is a way for the government to reach patients in distant villages, who are often unable to easily access the District Hospital in Farah City.

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah supported the VMOP and PHOs by providing medical supplies, transportation and medical expertise to deliver medical services to the population as a means to build capacity for the provincial government.

“The VMOP allows GIRoA and the Ministry of Public Health to reach out to remote villages such as Khorma Leq that are not easily accessible to Farah City and to further strengthen the clinic that is present in the village,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Adam Armstrong of Clearwater, Fla., senior medical officer, PRT Farah.