Afghanistan: An assessment of the status of health care and pharmacy mentoring efforts in an Afghan National Army Hospital

Abstract

BackgroundThe United States and Coalition countries initiated mentoring in Afghanistan as a means of training the Afghan people for independence, to include democratic self-governance and national defense. Several medical Embedded Training Teams are executing the medical component of the mentoring mission at Afghan Army hospitals around the country. ObjectivesTo provide a brief synopsis of Afghanistan history, review the status of Afghanistan health care, and provide an overview of pharmacy mentoring efforts by an Air Force pharmacist and pharmacy technician at Kandahar Regional Military Hospital. SummaryAfghanistan health care has suffered from neglect, and improving health care in the country is an important part of bolstering their military and the country as a whole. Afghanistan is rebounding from decades of civil war and occupation from a number of oppressive regimes, and the Afghan military faces considerable challenges. Challenges specific to military pharmacy include lack of established policies and procedures, medication shortages, medication quality issues, and lack of basic equipment, supplies, and training. ConclusionThrough ingenuity and determination, Afghan and Coalition pharmacists are working together to make progress in advancing the practice of pharmacy in Afghanistan.