The acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, met with Faisal Mohammed Al-Emadi, president of the Qatar Red Crescent, to request assistance in treating heart patients, particularly children with congenital heart conditions, in Afghanistan.
Kabul 24: The meeting aimed to strengthen health cooperation between the two countries and improve access to specialized medical services for Afghan patients. Shaheen emphasized the need to send experienced Qatari doctors to Kabul to perform complex surgeries, such as treating children with heart defects.
He also proposed rebuilding and equipping the Heart Diseases Hospital in Kabul and holding training programs for Afghan doctors to enhance local capacity for treating heart conditions.
The president of the Qatar Red Crescent welcomed the requests and pledged continued comprehensive cooperation with the Islamic Emirate.
To follow up on these efforts, two coordinators were appointed from both sides to expedite planning for sending doctors, providing medical equipment, and conducting training programs. This initiative is a significant step toward alleviating the suffering of heart patients in Afghanistan.
Health experts warn that thousands of heart patients in Afghanistan seek treatment annually, but the lack of advanced facilities, medical equipment, and sufficient specialists poses a major challenge.
Many families are forced to travel to neighboring countries like Pakistan or India for treatment, incurring exorbitant costs that most Afghan families cannot afford.
Establishing specialized heart centers within Afghanistan could significantly reduce treatment costs and improve patients’ access to healthcare services.Earlier this year, the Afghan and Qatar Red Crescents signed an agreement to treat 169 children with heart defects.
This project, which was financially out of reach for many families due to high surgical costs, exemplifies successful bilateral cooperation. With continued collaboration, there is hope that more Afghan children will benefit from advanced medical care, strengthening Afghanistan’s healthcare system.
These efforts not only improve children’s health but could also reduce mortality rates from heart diseases and enhance the quality of life for patients in this war-torn country.
