Afghanistan's acting Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has announced plans to construct standard hospitals in 318 districts across the country. 

The announcement came during the inauguration ceremony for the newly built Nimroz Provincial Hospital, a 100-bed facility constructed at a cost of $2 million.

Jalali stated that the budget for the nationwide hospital project has been approved, with the primary objective being to deliver standardized healthcare services to all Afghan citizens.  "This hospital, Inshallah, will address many of the people's health issues and will provide quality medical services," he said at the Nimroz hospital opening.

While local officials celebrated the new building, they emphasized the need for further investment in medical equipment and specialized doctors to ensure its effectiveness.  Mohammad Qasim Khalid, the governor of Nimroz, acknowledged the completion of the physical structure but stressed the importance of providing the necessary medical expertise.

Acting Minister of Information and Culture, Khairullah Khairkhwa, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the government's commitment to completing unfinished projects in Nimroz province and promising further contracts to meet the population's needs.

The opening of the Nimroz hospital has been met with enthusiasm by local residents.  Previously, many residents were forced to travel to Herat or other provinces for adequate medical care, a journey that proved fatal for some.  "We hope that the opening of this hospital will help solve people's health problems,” said Abdul Ghaffar, a Nimroz resident.  Lal Mohammad, another resident, recounted the difficulties of transporting patients long distances, saying, "We used to take patients to Herat and other provinces for treatment, but unfortunately, some lost their lives on the way."

The nationwide hospital construction project aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas and reduce the need for Afghans to seek medical treatment abroad. (ILKHA)