A basic package of health services, including some antenatal and neonatal care, family planning services, and immunisation programmes, is being rolled out in Afghanistan, a London conference was told last week.

“About half of the population and 70% of all districts are now receiving this basic package,” said Dr Ahmad Jan Naeem, of the Ministry of Public Health in Kabul. However, extending the package, which also includes the provision of some essential drugs, was being hampered by the difficulty of reaching remote areas, continuing insecurity, and a lack of funding, he added.

“Distribution of the work force is a major problem in Afghanistan. Eighty per cent of doctors are in …