Officials in Paktia province have announced the commencement of construction of a 150-bed hospital spanning 25 acres of land in the city of Gardez.

According to officials, the hospital is being built at the recommendation of Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting minister of interior, and with financial support from the United Arab Emirates. The project, costing approximately $5 million, is expected to be completed within the next two years.

Miraj Gul Adel, Paktia’s Director of Public Health, said: “This hospital, with a capacity of 150 beds, will be constructed to high standards on 25 acres of land at an estimated cost of $5 million.”

Mohammad Sharif Mangal, Director General of Border Police at the Ministry of Interior, said: “The doors of this hospital will not only be open to this zone but to all Muslim patients in the region. This hospital is being built with financial support from the UAE and under the special directives of Minister Khalifa Sahib.”

Several residents of Paktia have urged the interim government and donor agencies to take further steps to strengthen the healthcare sector in the province.

Mohammad Yousuf, a resident of Paktia, said: “This hospital is being built under the guidance of Khalifa Sahib and with the support of the UAE. We are very happy and grateful for this initiative. We hope more such welfare projects will be undertaken, such as building hospitals, schools, and other useful projects.”

Mohibullah, another resident of Paktia, said: “We call on the UAE to expand their assistance, as they have done so far, and continue supporting us.”

Officials in Paktia have also announced plans to begin constructing 12 additional health centers in the near future.