The Support to Health Structures in Afghanistan project contributes to the improved health and well-being of the Afghan population, by helping to operate a hospital in Kandahar province, as well as nine basic health centres and six physical rehabilitation centres.

Funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will help the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) to:

• Cover one Kandahar hospital’s operating costs for a year.
• Support nine basic health clinics in south-eastern Afghanistan (including Kandahar province) which are run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).
• Contribute to the operational support of six physical rehabilitation centres run by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• Engage and increase the knowledge of the Canadian public on issues affecting the activities of the Red Cross in Afghanistan.

Support to Health Structures in Afghanistan has achieved the following significant results to date:

• Almost 23,000 patients in Kandahar province and surrounding provinces were admitted to hospital and benefitted from free care according to Ministry of Public Health clinical health standards.
• More than 97,000 people in nine basic health centers run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) were provided with good qualitative, preventative, promotional and curative health services in regions with heavy armed conflict.
• Nearly 29,000 disabled people across the country had access to prostheses, orthotics, walking aids and wheelchairs to improve their mobility.

• Ministry of Public Health Afghanistan
• Canadian Red Cross
• International Committee of the Red Cross