Health centers will remain open during elections: Minister

KABUL: (MEP) – Minister of Public Health (MoPH) directed heads of all capital and provincial healthcare centers to prepare for emergency health services on Election Day.

Suraya Dalil in a press conference here on Tuesday said that all hospitals and basic health units would remain open during elections in order to provide emergency health services to people if any untoward incident takes place.

“All government and private health centers will be open to provide services to needy people during elections. We ordered all concerned officials to keep providing health services from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm on Election Day. They have been directed to provide health services to voters and others. They have also been asked to prepare medicines and empty beds for emergency situation,” she said.

The minister told newsmen that majority of people want to take part in April 5 presidential and provincial councils’ election. She added that voters are interested in casting their ballots to elect their favorite candidates. Therefore, the ministry will ensure all necessary measures to provide health services to public on ‘special day’.

Dalil further said that more medicine packages, blood bags and fuel for transportation were sent to all healthcare centers. Arrangements had been made to shift injured people if any untoward incident takes place during elections.

The Ministry of Public Health established a joint management center with Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior Affairs, and National Directorate of Security to offer emergency health services in case of any incident at any part of the country, she maintained.

“The government and the people are at the threshold of political transition [election] and the Ministry of Public Health is a responsible government body to provide health services to public. Therefore, all necessary arrangements have been made and the ministry directed all officials to provide health facilities to voters,” she said.