Local authorities in Khost province say that the initial formalities for this hospital have been completed and they assure that practical work will begin in the near future.

The hospital for treating cancer in Khost will be built on a hundred jeribs (acres) of land by a businessman in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

Some residents of Khost, whose patients are under treatment in a private medical center, are concerned about their relatives’ health.

Rahim Shah, a caregiver, says: "When we take our patients to Pakistan, the first problem is the lack of convenience in commuting and roads. Even if this problem is solved, it is very costly and people cannot afford to treat their patients."

Another caregiver, Shir Adam, says: "There are many problems, the Torkham route and other roads are closed. We take our patients to Kabul, but the medication and treatment that the patient needs are not available."

Doctors also say that cancer requires long-term care and treatment, which will be greatly facilitated by the construction of this hospital.

Noor Zadran, a doctor, says: "Cancer patients who are under care and treatment in India and Pakistan need to be treated for three to four years and must be hospitalized there for months, but due to economic problems, they spend twenty days to a month and then return to the country."

Residents of Khost, expressing their satisfaction with the construction of this hospital, urge the authorities to start its practical work as soon as possible.

According to them, most people cannot afford to treat their patients.

Tasawar Khan, a resident of Khost, says: "We, the people of Khost, are very happy and there is a great need for a cancer treatment hospital here, and land has already been allocated for it."

Aziz Pasarli, another resident of Khost, says: "The practical work of this hospital has not yet started, and we hope that it will start soon."

On the other hand, the deputy governor of Khost says that the use of chemical weapons in recent decades in the country has led to an increase in cancer.

Mahboob Shah Qanet adds that the administrative works of this hospital have been finalized and its practical work will start in the near future.

According to him, with the construction of this hospital, not only for the residents of Khost, but also for the residents of neighboring provinces, many facilities will be provided.

"Unfortunately, in some cases our patients face many problems, which with the effort of the actine minister of Interior, a hospital at the level of Afghanistan is supposed to be built here." He added.

Officials of the Cancer Patient Registration Commission in Khost say that currently 14,000 patients are registered with them and are waiting to cross the Ghulam Khan crossing into Pakistan.