West Bengal: Turmoil snaps Afghan kids’ Howrah lifeline

KOLKATA: The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has cast a shadow over the treatment of Afghan kids in Bengal. The Kabul-based NGO activist, who used to help arranging for treatment of Afghan kids at a hospital in Howrah, is herself spending sleepless nights with Taliban fighters guarding the streets in front of her house.
Since 2018, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital (NSH) in Howrah has provided lifeline to at least 17 Afghan kids born with congenital heart conditions.A special relationship that started between the hospital and Afghan children just about three-and-a-half years ago may now come to a grinding halt. In fact, a few more parents were looking forward to their children’s treatment at the hospital once internal travel norms, which had been curbed due to the pandemic second wave, got relaxed.
The Kabul-based NGO activist — attached with Centre for Empowerment of Afghans (CEOA) — had organised to bring those children to Kolkata. The activist, working for women empowerment and children’s rights, said she was stuck with her younger sister and parents. “We are not at all safe. With all flights and embassies closed, we are stuck. I am worried about safety of myself and my family,” said the woman in a WhatsApp chat.
She even posted photograph of a vehicle parked in front of her house where Taliban fighters are seen sitting inside the vehicle.
It was in 2018 that NSH joined hands with Rotary Club of Mahanagar and Rotary Club of Belur for treating patients from countries like Afghanistan that lack advanced tertiary care facilities. While the hospital conducted the surgeries at subsidised cost, the two Rotary Clubs, along with CEOA, would organise funds.
Talks had been on for the treatment of about 10 more children once the international flights resumed. And when things started looking better as far as the second wave is concerned, turmoil began at Afghanistan. Even till July first week, NSH doctors were in touch with the CEOA and Afghan local doctors who would send test/screening reports of those children.
“All those children have congenital heart ailment. We do not know whether they will ever be able to come for their medical treatment. We are also worried about children who we have operated earlier. Their follow-ups were done via the local doctors,” said NSH cardiac surgeon Debasis Das.
Despite the pandemic, the hospital operated upon three Afghan infants from provinces off Daikondi, Takhar and Kabul in December 2020 after international flights resumed after a prolonged lockdown during the first wave.
“We are concerned with the grim situation in that country. We will continue to provide our services to Afghan patients who are able to access our facility with the support of Rotary Club that has been of immense help in terms of arranging for finances and lodging for these patients,” said R Venkatesh, regional director (east), Narayana Health.