PESHAWAR: Continued presence of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has brought its health infrastructure under pressure.
As the deadline for the expiry of their refugee status approaches, questions are being asked if the international community, pushing for an extension, will come forward to contribute to health infrastructure.
The Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and two other hospitals in Peshawar are bearing the load of Afghan refugees.
Dr Shiraz Jamal, Associate Professor at the Medical B ward of HMC, said that the majority of patients are Afghans that put pressure on the health sector to generate facilities for a greater number than what it can provide.
One hospital is not just catering to thousands of refugee patients, but also those coming from across the Durand Line from southwestern Afghanistan.
Saba Gul, an Afghan attendant at HMC, travelled from Kandahar for treatment of her husband. Asked about the reason for making the journey, she referred to the lack of facilities in her country. She said that an open access across the border would ease their lives.
Suleman Khan, another refugee said: “The sole purpose of my stay in Pakistan is my sons’ education. I aim to send them abroad. I have set up businesses here which is the only source of my income. I cannot imagine returning as that would mean starting all over again, which I cannot afford.” His children are studying in a prestigious school here.
The United Nations Human Rights Commission provides transport and a stipend for all those moving back, but the Afghans are reluctant to return. Officials said Kabul should revive its economy and create opportunities to attract its people back. They say the international community keeps pushing for extension for refugees but does nothing to share the burden with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hit by insurgency and the declining economy. Internews
