Afghanistan: New children’s ward at Mirwais Hospital already over capacity

(ICRC) – The new paediatric ward at Mirwais Hospital in Kandahar opened in September 2016. The renovated facility stands proudly in the hospital compound, among trees providing welcome shade from what has been a blisteringly hot summer. Even as the last drop of fresh paint dries, young patients are wheeled from the old ward into the new one. The old paediatric ward was located in the main structure of the hospital compound, with 93 beds on the second floor of the building. Most of the beds had to be shared by at least two patients. The new paediatric ward is a stand-alone building, with 157 beds spread over three floors. More space means proper isolation areas for children with highly infectious diseases, such as measles, tuberculosis and 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 blood transfusions. But the pride of the new ward is the 30-bed neonatal unit, which has 11 incubators, 6 warmer cots and state-of-the-art equipment. Babies, especially those born prematurely, receive top-quality care, while at same time there is space for their mothers to learn to breastfeed and adopt healthy maternal habits.

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