Afghan health ministry warns non-communicable diseases threaten society and the economy

Officials at the Ministry of Public Health said at an event marking World Patient Safety Day that non-communicable diseases are not only a health challenge, but that their consequences also affect families, society and the country’s economy.

Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister for Health Services at the Ministry of Public Health, said at the meeting that the ministry is committed to providing equal health services and expanding them across the country. He also described the role of patients’ families and partner institutions in ensuring patient safety as essential.

According to him, patient safety is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives or other health workers, but is a shared responsibility among health departments, health officials, patients, families, society and health service partners.

Wahdat Alokozai, director of curative medicine at the Ministry of Public Health, also warned that using medicine without paying attention to the dose, method of administration and side effects can be harmful for patients, especially those with non-communicable diseases. He said these patients usually do not take medicine for only a short period and need continuous treatment.

The World Health Organization representative also described patient safety as an integral part of the health system and assured continued cooperation in various areas. Atiqullah Akbari, the organisation’s representative, said responsibility for patient safety does not rest solely with health workers and that policymakers, health managers, doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, social workers and patients’ families also have a role.

Sami Karimi, head of non-communicable disease prevention and control at the Ministry of Public Health, said the ministry is pursuing short-term and long-term programmes to improve the quality of health services, ensure patient safety and better care for people with non-communicable diseases.

World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on 17 September. The aim of the day is said to be raising awareness about patient safety, preventing avoidable errors and reducing harm caused by health care, and this year’s theme is “Safe care for non-communicable diseases.”