For People-centered Health Care and Realization of Peace Regional Health and Medical Projects / Support for Education / Advocacy

Program background

The war against terrorism, under which the USA and the UK attacked and dislodged the Taliban regime still continues. As a result, the deterioration of the security situation of Afghanistan caused an expansion of problematic areas within which support cannot reach.

In the present situation of Afghanistan, there are many people in need who cannot get enough food and water, medical services and who face the dangerous situation from the ongoing conflict. Additionally, even the current amount of humanitarian assistance is not sufficient enough to support all the needs of the people of Afghanistan.

Summary of Activities

(1)Regional Health and medical projects - Gorek area of Shiwa district in Nangarhar province

JVC has been supporting the only clinic in the Gorek area of Shiwa in Nangarhar province (covering a population of about 21,000) since 2005 and a sub-clinic for people in a remote area which was started in 2009. In addition, JVC is conducting a program which utilizes the close relationship with community health workers (CHW’s) who offer basic medical service in the communities, and also offer traditional midwives for helping childbirth at home. Through these activities people have become more attentive to the importance of preventive care.

2009 Annual Report

1. Management of Clinic and sub-clinic
Three doctors, nurses, other medical staff members examined about 160 people daily, focusing on malaria and diarrhea. Additionally, we introduced a system of patient registration cards and a patient case records (per one family unit) for closer medical consultation.

2.Activity for preventive care
In the Gorek Clinic, JVC conducted health education concerning hygiene during the waiting time which focused on personal medical guidance.

Moreover, we conducted various health education sessions, such as health guidance from CHWs, education of young woman for childbirth and training for schoolteachers. Furthermore, a “Health Committee”, managed by the local people to monitor health issues, was established. Therefore, preventive health care progressed under the initiative of the local populace in 2009.

In view of precarious security situation, most of JVC’s activity in Afghanistan were con-ducted by about 30 local staff members, while Japanese staff members sometimes visited Afghanistan to manage JVC’s projects.

2010 Annual Plan

In addition to the management of the clinic and sub-clinic, we will conduct more concentrated activities for preventive health care, such as improvement of anemia. As it is the last year of a three year midterm project, we will analyze the impact of the project and the attainment of its goals, as well as, problems and difficulties as we consider the next phase of the project.

(2)Support Education - Nangarhar province

The conflict has exhausted Afghanistan’s school education environment. JVC is constructing a girl’s school and has aimed to improve school facilities since 2003. Since 2006, JVC has conducted the teacher training for elementary school teachers in cooperation with the provincial office of education ministry. Through these activities, we try to improve the quality of education.

2009 Annual Report

JVC conducted a 12 day training session to improve the skill of teaching with a textbook in the Shiwa district. In this session, 82 teachers who teach the lower grades of elementary school participated. Moreover, in liaison with the Health and Medical project, JVC conducted a health education session for teachers. 32 teachers participated in this 12 day training session and learned health care issues, such as the causes and symptoms of tuberculosis, malaria and diarrhea.

2010 Annual Plan

The teaching training projects will tranfer to the provincial office of education ministry once JVC’s projects have finished. In liaison with the Health and Medical project, we will strengthen health education in schools and start training not only for teachers but also for students.