What is Afghanistans biggest health challenge?
Dr. Amowitz: The lack of basic needs, such as food, shelter, clean water, health care access, education and work opportunities. Education, for example, determines whether a mother knows how to feed her child or make sure that water is boiled so it is clean. Sadly, 80,000 children a year die of diarrheal disease. Dr. Leaning: Afghan physicians need training, retraining, continuing education and upgrading of their skills and knowledge base. They’ve been so cut off from the rest of the world. ACP-ASIM Observer: 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
