Cabinet Meeting Approves Budget to Finance Treatment for 500 Children with Atrial Septal Defects

Publish Date: Feb 13, 2012

January 13, 2012- Cabinet Meeting led by President Hamid Karzai on Monday approved a budget proposed to finance medical treatment of 500 children who are suffering from atrial septal defects.

Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) proposed a budget to the cabinet meeting held in the Presidential palace for medical treatment to the Afghan child patients that are plagued by this disease.

According to the proposal, 2000 children affected by atrial septal defects are registered with ARCS.  Out of this figure, 513 children are in dire need of treatment.  Curative services for atrial septal defects are not available in Afghanistan therefore these patients need to be treated abroad at a cost of $ 2 million.

The cabinet meeting decided that the Afghan government would provide $ 1 million while ARCS would fund the rest of the expenses required for the treatment.

After briefing by Ms. Fatuma Gilani, the Secretary General of ARCS, President Karzai instructed the Ministry of Finance to take immediate actions accordingly.