By Mohammad Qazi Zada
Doctors in Herat Hospital say that they need a special healthcare center with special equipment to deal with patients who attempt suicide by taking toxic substances.
Dr. Aziz ul Rahman Jami, head of the emergency department told BBC that in one year (1395) about 1000 people in Herat province attempted suicide by taking toxic substances. About 30 of these people died while the rest were saved.
Self-immolation victim in a local hospital in Herat province in Western Afghanistan in July 2007. (Photo: RAWA.org)
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Dr. Jami says that every day, between 4-7 people are brought to the hospital who have been poisoned with harmful drugs, and this, he says, has forced the hospital to put most of their equipment and staff in disposal of these patients.
He said, “Poisoned patients need special and urgent care. We don’t have these facilities now. Some of these patients need antidotes that are not available in the hospital and not easily available in the market either.”
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These cases can have many causes. Domestic violence and abuse, poverty and unemployment, depression and psychological problems are the main causes of these cases.
According to official statistics, of the 1000 people who attempted suicide by taking toxic substances in one year, 90 percent were young women.
The doctors said that most cases are “false suicide attempts”. Some of them attempt suicide to pressurize their families or gain their attention.
Dr. Mohammad Nabil Faqiryar, a medical specialist in the hospital said that people need to be taught that taking these substances can have long-lasting negative effects even if they are treated quickly.
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Full Persian report: http://www.bbc.com/persian/afghanistan-39783068