The Taliban has banned ultrasound examinations for women at the provincial hospital in Herat, sources tell Zan Times. The sources, who are health care workers who do not want to be identified, say that the head of the hospital said the decision was made because the machine needs high-power electricity.
However, a number of doctors reject that claim, saying that ultrasounds are still available for men. They say that women are being denied ultrasounds because of the lack of female specialists in this department.
Furthermore, one doctor notes that such decisions are usually made by the Taliban and then given to the head of the hospital for implementation. He says that the head of the Herat hospital was appointed by the Taliban.
People who have been to the hospital say the new edict banning women from getting ultrasounds was in a notice that was posted on the front door of the Herat Internal Diseases Centre. It states, “Based on the guidance of the honorable director of the Herat zonal hospital, we apologize to the female clients for the ultrasound!”
Meanwhile, another source in the hospital says that this isn’t the only restriction applied to women at this medical centre. According to him, restrictions have been imposed on the movement of female patients in Herat Hospital since last year, and that they have intensified in recent months. This source also notes that agents of the Taliban vice and virtue department are always present in the hospital and often suggest new restrictions to Taliban leaders.
Afghanistan has the highest maternal mortality rate in Asia, according to a report published by the United Nations Population Fund in March. According to this report, 638 mothers die in every 100,000 births. Now, it is increasingly difficult for Afghans to access medical care. Many international NGOs that used to provide or finance such services pulled out of the country after the Taliban takeover. In addition, international funding for essential services, such as hospitals and clinics, has largely dried up as foreign donors do not want to be seen aiding the Taliban. As a result, medicine and medical services are becoming unaffordable to the average Afghan.
