What does the Afghan government say it needs most from foreign physicians?
Dr. Leaning: It most needs physicians to train others in the hospitals and clinics, doing bedside teaching and consultation. ACP-ASIM Observer: How can American physicians who want to help get involved? Dr. Leaning: If they want to travel to Afghanistan, they should join a coordinated or group effort. Two or three should go at a time, in part to maximize their effectiveness. Keep in mind, however, that there are few places where you can stay with any degree of support. There’s very little running water and only intermittent electricity in the cities. A Westerner can safely eat in very few restaurants in Kabul without fear of food poisoning. Mazar-e-Sharif has one, at best. The physical capacity to support extra people is really limited. You need to stay in guest houses, and those are packed with staff from nongovernmental organizations and journalists. You also need to be physically hardy because the cities are at high altitudes and the facilities are primitive. You need to be prepared
