Health

Voice Over:

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan many people including interpreters, human rights activists and journalists were evacuated.

Many had suffered past trauma and what they experienced at Kabul Airport was terrifying.

“Rafi” , Voiced of Actor:

It was absolutely horrible. There you saw the soldiers, the Afghan [government] soldiers, how they were treating people and guns firing. I saw a lot of things there which was truly sad. The small children, the babies, the women, they were under the feet of everybody and nobody cared.

Voice Over:

The relief some evacuees felt after arriving in France was short-lived as traumatic memories resurfaced. While some received psychosocial support, others continue to struggle on their own.

“Roya” , Voiced of Actor:

I have a hole in my heart about my people and my country but I can’t do anything from here. 

We feel we are safe, but we worry about our family. I talked about my emotions when we went to art therapy. They showed me some way so that I don’t stay in shock mode. I’m gonna be better.

Voice Over:

There is no health without mental health. France should expand the provision of psychosocial services to evacuees. Evacuees and those assisting them, should be informed about accessible mental health services.

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher, Baker County:

Do I go to the doctor or do I buy groceries? You shouldn’t have to make that kind of decision. 

Olivia Coley-Pearson, Community-Based Researcher, Coffee County:

Black women are being left out of healthcare infrastructure and resources. African American women are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer, as opposed to white women. To find out these alarming numbers about Black women dying from something that is preventable, is very disturbing.

Community-Based Researchers:

Hi. How’s everybody doing?

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher, Baker County:

When approached about becoming a community-based researcher, I just knew I was going to be asking questions and surveys to women in the community about cervical cancer issues and health issues.

So, when I heard about the barriers of transportation, health care and finances, I must admit I was a little shocked.

Teretha White, Research Participant, Baker County Resident:

The health insurance I applied for was like over $200 [a month] and that’s just too much.

I can’t afford, how would I live? A lot of times, you know, I don't go to the doctor because then if I did come down with something, I wouldn’t be able to treat it. So, I just don’t go.

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher, Baker County:

Baker County is located in southwest Georgia, away from Interstate 75. in southwest Georgia, away from Interstate 75. So, there’s not a lot of industry or trade or anything there.

It has a community of individuals that are supportive of each other. Unfortunately, it's an area dominated by poverty. The income is low. There are not really any jobs within Baker County.

Sometimes the health center only has one physician to see all of the patients. There is not a regular OB-GYN in Baker County.

Janet Anderson, Nurse, Baker County Primary Health Care:

When we talk about reproductive cancer, when you reach a certain age, making sure that you get your mammograms, your Paps, all of that should be done.

But if you don’t have health insurance, nobody’s going to do it for you.

If you don't get the health care you need for one problem, it could lead to another problem.

I've seen this happen with a patient. She was turned down for Medicare or Medicaid. She didn't get the health care that she needed. I think she may have lasted maybe two or three years [and] passed away. And that's the kind of stuff that really just bothers me.

Olivia Coley-Pearson, Community-Based Researcher, Coffee County:

Based upon the research that we conducted, Black women in Georgia are more apt to be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the later stages because they have not received preventive treatment.

And we found out that the majority are not aware that there is the HPV vaccine, which would actually prevent cervical cancer.

Most of them are not informed by their doctors. What do you do if you feel that you're being discriminated against where you feel that you were not given the information you should have been given because you're Black or because you're low-income?

That's a great barrier and it has a traumatic effect on Black women in rural communities.

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher, Baker County:

Coming up with resolutions at the grassroot level is key in any community because everybody in that community knows everyone, especially when you're talking about a community as small as Baker.

Grace Miller, Baker County Resident:

We need to have some programs to educate the women about how to take care of their body, how to go to the doctor and get themselves seen about it. Because one thing about it, cancer don’t care who it is.

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher:

It doesn’t care. 

Grace Miller, Baker County Resident:

You’ve got to keep yourself checked. 

Olivia Coley-Pearson, Community-Based Researcher, Coffee County:

On the federal level, we need to have more accountability. So, the government's responsibility is to make sure that all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status, are afforded resources and solutions. 

Kay Eady, Community-Based Researcher, Baker County:

Shouldn’t have a high incidence of cervical cancer.  It’s one of the few diseases that we have that can be eradicated. I strongly believe in you take care of the people that need it most. We cannot afford to repeat the cycle of cervical cancer. 

Voiceover

Afghanistan's future looks uncertain as US troops prepare to leave the country before September 11, 2021.

In the years after the US-led military invasion and the defeat of the Taliban government in late 2001, the Afghan government and international donors gave priority to developing an effective health system, including extending access to basic health care to all parts of the country.

This led to significant improvements for women’s health. But even with two decades of effort and hundreds of millions of dollars spent, delivery of health services for women and girls remains far below international standards.

Dr. Najmusama Shefajo, Head of Afghanistan Ob/Gyn Society

Our maternal mortality rate nowadays is 638 per 100,000 live births. It is a shocking number.

 Voiceover

In the last several years, donor support to Afghanistan has been falling. Services that were already inadequate are further deteriorating. 

Women and girls often struggle to access even the most basic care. Access to contraception. Access to prenatal care. Access to safe birthing services. The cost for transportation, as well as medications and the supplies patients are obliged to pay for because government hospitals no longer have enough funding, keeps women from receiving care, with sometimes deadly consequences.

Insecurity and fighting due to the war in Afghanistan also create major barriers to women and girls accessing health care. Health facilities and workers are often caught in the middle of the conflict or even targeted themselves, making it almost impossible at times to provide services.  

In May 2020, attackers killed 24 people including mothers, children, and a midwife in a hospital maternity ward operated by MSF.

Shaharzad Akbar, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

With the conflict and the uncertainty about the outcome of the peace process, donors are more hesitant about committing funding to NGOs or Afghan governments. In the midst of uncertainty, it’s the most vulnerable, it’s the women, the children, the displaced communities, who are losing out. 

Voiceover

Over 75% of the Afghan government’s budget comes from international donors. Afghanistan cannot afford decent health services without help.

Donor countries should fully appreciate how deep and urgent are Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, including for women’s health care. They should not use the withdrawal of foreign troops as a justification for disengaging when the need for international assistance is greater than ever.