The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan
BackgroundEnsuring equitable access to healthcare services is fundamental to a robust healthcare system, especially during humanitarian crises. This study analyzes the availability and distribution of health resources across Afghanistan, aiming to provide a data-driven understanding of healthcare re...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371104/full |
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| author | Nelly Hegazy Sherif El Deeb Marwa Rashad Salem Jerome A. Shaguy Ramesh Nassery Mohammed Abdullah Khawari Jamshed Tanoli Alaa Abouzeid Alaa Abouzeid |
| author_facet | Nelly Hegazy Sherif El Deeb Marwa Rashad Salem Jerome A. Shaguy Ramesh Nassery Mohammed Abdullah Khawari Jamshed Tanoli Alaa Abouzeid Alaa Abouzeid |
| author_sort | Nelly Hegazy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundEnsuring equitable access to healthcare services is fundamental to a robust healthcare system, especially during humanitarian crises. This study analyzes the availability and distribution of health resources across Afghanistan, aiming to provide a data-driven understanding of healthcare resource access and identify potential disparities, a critical aspect of effective humanitarian response planning.MethodsPrincipal investigators collated related data and literature from databases and data warehouses in a systematic approach using search strings and collection tools to query databases and available data warehouses to assess the availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan, with the principal database queried being the Afghanistan Health Resources Availability database (HeRAMS), an electronic and web-based system conceived by the World Health Organization. An Excel version was sourced.ResultsThe sub-health center represents 31.1% of the health facilities, followed by the basic health center (22.5%) and the mobile health team (17.1%). More than 85% of these facilities are fully operational, with the highest percentage observed in the Southern and Northeastern regions at 96.8%, followed closely by the central highland and Southeastern regions. Outpatient services for primary care are notably prevalent in the Northeastern, Southeastern, Southern, Eastern, and Northern region, conversely, the Capital and Central Highland regions demonstrate the lowest provision of primary care services. Antenatal care services are accessible at a level exceeding 70% in nearly all regions, with the highest accessibility in the Northeastern region at 91.3%, the prevalence of non-communicable illness clinics was observed to be below 50%, with the highest availability in the Southern region at 49.4%, followed by the Southeastern region. In terms of sanitation facilities, availability surpasses 70% across Afghanistan, with the highest observed in the Northeastern region at 89.2%.ConclusionThe study highlights significant disparities in healthcare access across various regions, with notable challenges in the availability of critical services. Furthermore, the study underscores the significant impact of financial constraints and equipment shortages on the functionality of healthcare facilities, particularly in the Northeastern and Western regions. This analysis emphasises the need for targeted resource allocation and infrastructure improvements to address inequities in access to essential healthcare services, particularly for underserved populations, thereby facilitating the achievement of equitable health outcomes in Afghanistan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d9d90e42e5b469c86fae1a6fc78df3b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d9d90e42e5b469c86fae1a6fc78df3b2025-01-24T14:26:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13711041371104The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in AfghanistanNelly Hegazy0Sherif El Deeb1Marwa Rashad Salem2Jerome A. Shaguy3Ramesh Nassery Mohammed4Abdullah Khawari5Jamshed Tanoli6Alaa Abouzeid7Alaa Abouzeid8Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, EgyptCommunity Medicine Research Department, National Research Centre, Giza, EgyptPublic Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptThe World Health Organization, Kabul, AfghanistanThe World Health Organization, Kabul, AfghanistanThe World Health Organization, Kabul, AfghanistanThe World Health Organization, Kabul, AfghanistanPublic Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptThe World Health Organization, Kabul, AfghanistanBackgroundEnsuring equitable access to healthcare services is fundamental to a robust healthcare system, especially during humanitarian crises. This study analyzes the availability and distribution of health resources across Afghanistan, aiming to provide a data-driven understanding of healthcare resource access and identify potential disparities, a critical aspect of effective humanitarian response planning.MethodsPrincipal investigators collated related data and literature from databases and data warehouses in a systematic approach using search strings and collection tools to query databases and available data warehouses to assess the availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan, with the principal database queried being the Afghanistan Health Resources Availability database (HeRAMS), an electronic and web-based system conceived by the World Health Organization. An Excel version was sourced.ResultsThe sub-health center represents 31.1% of the health facilities, followed by the basic health center (22.5%) and the mobile health team (17.1%). More than 85% of these facilities are fully operational, with the highest percentage observed in the Southern and Northeastern regions at 96.8%, followed closely by the central highland and Southeastern regions. Outpatient services for primary care are notably prevalent in the Northeastern, Southeastern, Southern, Eastern, and Northern region, conversely, the Capital and Central Highland regions demonstrate the lowest provision of primary care services. Antenatal care services are accessible at a level exceeding 70% in nearly all regions, with the highest accessibility in the Northeastern region at 91.3%, the prevalence of non-communicable illness clinics was observed to be below 50%, with the highest availability in the Southern region at 49.4%, followed by the Southeastern region. In terms of sanitation facilities, availability surpasses 70% across Afghanistan, with the highest observed in the Northeastern region at 89.2%.ConclusionThe study highlights significant disparities in healthcare access across various regions, with notable challenges in the availability of critical services. Furthermore, the study underscores the significant impact of financial constraints and equipment shortages on the functionality of healthcare facilities, particularly in the Northeastern and Western regions. This analysis emphasises the need for targeted resource allocation and infrastructure improvements to address inequities in access to essential healthcare services, particularly for underserved populations, thereby facilitating the achievement of equitable health outcomes in Afghanistan.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371104/fullHeRAMSAfghanistanhealth servicesavailabilityfunctionality |
| spellingShingle | Nelly Hegazy Sherif El Deeb Marwa Rashad Salem Jerome A. Shaguy Ramesh Nassery Mohammed Abdullah Khawari Jamshed Tanoli Alaa Abouzeid Alaa Abouzeid The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan Frontiers in Public Health HeRAMS Afghanistan health services availability functionality |
| title | The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan |
| title_full | The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan |
| title_fullStr | The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan |
| title_short | The availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in Afghanistan |
| title_sort | availability and distribution of health services and resources across different regions in afghanistan |
| topic | HeRAMS Afghanistan health services availability functionality |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1371104/full |
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