$2.6m healthcare project to launch in Badakhshan, Baghlan — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Public Health has signed a $2.6 million agreement with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to implement a programme aimed at reducing child stunting, improving nutrition and lowering low birth-weight cases in Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces. In a statement, the ministry said the one-year agreement, worth $2,601,610, had been signed with the Aga Khan Foundation. According to the ministry, the project will focus on reducing child stunting, improving children’s nutritional status, decreasing the prevalence of low birth-weight births, enhancing the quality of healthcare services, expanding access to medical facilities and addressing health challenges in the two provinces. The ministry said 218,384 people in Badakhshan and Baghlan would receive healthcare services through 74 health centres under the project, which would also create 178 jobs. Representatives of the Aga Khan Foundation pledged to implement the programme in line with agreed standards within one year and said they would give special attention to addressing the healthcare needs of local communities.