Afghanistan Requires International Help To Fight COVID-19 Upsurge

Feb. 8, 2022 (EIRNS)—The spokesman for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health called for aid from the international community on Feb. 7, reporting that at least 21 of the 36 previously active COVID-19 care centers have been closed throughout the country within the past six months, due to lack of financing and lack of equipment. The number of people infected by new variants of the virus are now rising, and will do so more rapidly if aid is not received.

“If the COVID-19 centers, also the centers for drug addicts, are not reactivated in the provinces and districts, the health sector in Afghanistan may deteriorate,” warned Public Health spokesman Javid Hajir.

The Afghan-Japan Hospital, the country’s main COVID-19 treatment center, reported that the number of patients recorded this week, grew by 80% over last week, reported Afghanistan’s TOLOnews.

Not only does the country lack any kits for testing the Omicron variant, the news service reported, but given the overall breakdown of the economy, “citizens are less careful to follow the necessary recommendations to overcome the threat of COVID-19.”