The Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC) stated in a report that a survey conducted in the past five months in Kabul and in seven zones in the country found that numerous challenges and problems exist in the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH.)

The report has covered health facilities, hospitals and other offices related to the public health ministry and states that although a lot of money and support has been provided for the health sector in the country, the quality of health services remains very poor.  

The commission’s report, that was released on Monday, says if non-government organizations stop their support, the health sector will not be able to address people’s needs and the ministry will face a serious problem. 

The report said although some progress has been made, there are still numerous challenges and problems in different areas which need to be addressed. 

“In some areas we were unable to access all information we needed. In some parts our employees’ activities were limited due to the security issue and in some parts the department did not really cooperate. But the ministry’s leadership completely cooperated with us,” Rohulllah Amin, head of the complaints board of the IARCSC said. 

The report also mentioned that 23 illiterate people have been appointed to managerial positions at the ministry. 

According to the report, the health ministry has 13,562 employees of whom 3,485 have Grade 12, 23 are illiterate but hold management positions and 44 others have some tertiary education. 

“Little attention has been paid, or no attention has been paid to bring reforms in the health sector, especially in the human resources department,” Nasir Timori, Integrity Watch Afghanistan’s senior researcher said. 

Other issues reported include the interference between health ministry directorates, between health ministry and international organizations, a shortage of employees to monitor duties, the lack of monitoring of activities of hospital and health services, and not addressing hospital employees and patients’ problems.