The provincial public health directorate’s officials in Uruzgan said Friday that 35 out of 49 health facilities have remained closed due to an increase in Taliban activities in parts of the province. 

The public health director of Uruzgan, Khan Aqa Miakhail, said Taliban militants have made some demands from health officials in the province in order let them run the health facilities. 

“We are in contact with the anti-government groups, in provincial level, to resolve the problem. Taliban has 10 demands from the health sector that have been shared with the Ministry of Public Health ministry by the provincial governor,” he said.  

Some MPs from Uruzgan said government has failed to ensure the safety of health in many parts of the country.

“Government has failed to secure the facilities. The problem can be resolved with the help of tribal elders,” said Habib Afghan, an MP. 

“Unfortunately the insurgents in insecure areas prevent such services. There is no easy option to address the problem, but government should resolve it through cooperation with the people,” said Gulalai Noor Safi, an MP. 

Officials from the Ministry of Public Health said they continue their discussions with security departments and tribal elders to reopen the closed schools. 

According to the ministry, 40 percent of people have poor access to healthcare services across the country.