Afghanistan signs agreements to construct hospitals, procure medical supplies financed by ADB

Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani witnessed the signing of three agreements totaling $23.95 million financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to construct hospitals and procure essential medical supplies to support Afghanistan’s national health system response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The agreements will help construct hospitals in the high-priority provinces and address the immediate need for medicines and medical equipment to treat the affected population and improve health services across the country,” said ADB Country Director for Afghanistan Narendra Singru. “The support is part of an integrated approach to improving patient treatment and management to support the government’s response to COVID-19.”

President Ghani expressed his appreciation for ADB’s swift response and highlighted the importance of the support in helping the country to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The support includes the construction of 10 hospitals equipped with isolation wards and intensive care units, adding 750 new hospital beds. The hospitals will comply with international isolation ward standards and will include utilities such as energy-efficient power generators, including, where appropriate, solar power; water, sanitation, and hygiene corners; standard ventilation and heating systems; and waste management systems. The facilities will also be gender and culture-sensitive, with dedicated wards for female patients including pregnant women.

ADB approved a $40 million grant assistance in May to support Afghanistan’s fight against COVID-19. The grant supports the construction of 15 hospitals and medical facilities, of which 10 will be constructed during phase one. Five existing medical facilities will also be rehabilitated under the grant. It supports the procurement of urgently needed medicine and medical equipment and building of the capacity and resilience of Afghanistan’s national health system to respond to public health emergencies including COVID-19.

Original source: ADB