Thousands of Patients Treated in Kabul in 2020
The Mine Detection Centre (MDC) Polyclinic in Kabul, Afghanistan, has been working closely with ITF for several years and has also been partially supported by generous donations of the Republic of Slovenia since 2016. With its work, the MDC Polyclinic has been enabling free access to medical assistance to the most vulnerable residents of Afghanistan’s capital.
As for many around the world, 2020 was one of the most turbulent years for the residents of Kabul, with personnel of the MDC Polyclinic facing many challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. While the pandemic was a major trial for doctors, nurses, and other staff in itself, they also managed to successfully complete a move to new premises.
Within their primary field of activities, including gynecology, physiotherapy, and dentistry, the MDC Polyclinic managed to achieve great results. In gynecology, patients benefited from an astonishing 4,935 services and exams carried out by a female gynecologist. In addition, two female physiotherapists and a female dentist delivered 2,807 physiotherapies and 1,793 dental services to their patients respectively. The work of these doctors and support staff is funded by the Republic of Slovenia and has proven to be vital for the adequate and timely provision of medical services to women. In the light of the COVID-19 impact and the resulting limited provision of some of the services, e.g. dental, the results achieved are remarkable.
The main reason for the achievements was a very thorough process of preparing for the public health crisis presented by COVID-19. As part of the duty of care, the MDC Polyclinic’s management conducted internal training for all personnel and provided the necessary protective equipment for those working in the clinic as well as the emergency teams and vehicles. Also, the clinic established 20 emergency beds for COVID-19 patients in their physiotherapy room and fitted them with equipment for oxygenation and ventilation. During every service or counselling session, patients were informed and advised about COVID-19 prevention measures and regulations by doctors and other personnel.
ITF is glad that the MDC Polyclinic was able to successfully overcome the challenges they faced and that the clinic and its personnel will remain its trusted partners in the future. In addition, ITF is grateful to the Republic of Slovenia for their continued support of the clinic throughout the next two years.