Afghanistan: Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic at Afghan Red Crescent hospital in Kabul
Designated by Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) as one of only four COVID-19 treatment centres in the city, the Kabul Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) District hospital is adapting to a new and crucial role in responding to COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the intense gravity of the situation, a joint effort between ICRC and ARCS to receive COVID-19 patients is a welcome endeavour to contain the spread of the pandemic.
ICRC support to the ARCS to assist with the district hospital's response to COVID-19 includes training staff on infection control, using personal protective materials, sharing guidelines, and advising on patient flow and treatment.
Additionally, the ICRC is also working on water and sanitation facilities to strengthen the infrastructure by providing a waste management centre, completing the water well and distribution system, and installing a generator in case of power outages.
The ICRC will assist the ARCS with external screening or isolation areas to further improve preventive measures in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Despite their life-saving effort to help those affected by COVID-19, hospitals remain a target of armed groups. A recent attack on the west of Kabul left 24 civilians dead and more injured.
On top of the steadily growing COVID-19 danger, health care staff face the looming threat that put their work, safety, and the lives of the civilians at risk.
Kabul Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) District Hospital: Infection control against COVID-19 starts at the entrance.
Doctors wait at the gate in an open-air area to consult patients upon arrival.
The hospital is adapting to a new and crucial role in responding to COVID-19 pandemic
Instructors prepare the room for the COVID-19 training session for medical workers at the hospital.
Hospital staff attend the COVID-19 training session for medical workers.
The ICRC and ARCS gave the COVID-19 training session on infection control, use of personal protective material, guidelines and patient management.
Social distancing was practiced during the COVID-19 training session for medical workers.
