Some patients suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) said that the Infectious Diseases Hospital is a facing a shortage of medical supplies and this is causing difficulties.

Many of these patients are bedridden but do not have rooms, as the hospital is facing an overwhelming number of patients.

“There is nothing provided for the patient. When we tell them about our pain, they ask us to go out and bring the medicine,” said Khadija, a patient.

“There is not enough space. The new patients and the previous patients are being mixed and it causes their tests to be positive again,” said Shima, a patient.

Officials at the Infectious Diseases Hospital acknowledged the shortage of medical supplies. They also complained about the reduction in their salaries.

“We have risked our families to serve here. The Ministry (of Public Health) has reduced our salaries by 50 percent, we want them to restart it again,” said Mohammad Munir, a doctor.

The Ministry of Public Heath (MoPH) said that around 140 people have died from tuberculosis this year.

“The MoPH has launched programs to increase public awareness and we provided free medical services in 852 centers,” said Javid Hazhir, a spokesman for the MoPH.

Before the outbreak of Covid-19, patients affected by TB were being treated in the Afghan-Japan hospital. But the Afghan-Japan hospital was allotted for Covid-19 and the patients suffering from TB are now being treated in the Infectious Diseases Hospital.