In Afghanistan, health education has been almost non-existent, so most adults today know very little about the symptoms, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. With so many clinics destroyed during the war years, there is also an enormous shortage of health facilities, medicines and qualified medical staff. With few health services available and a large social stigma surrounding anyone admitting to a sexually transmitted infection, many of those who become infected don't seek treatment. As a result the illness progresses, and debilitates those who are left untreated- resulting in sterility, future infection of others and death...

World Vision has opened the very first clinic for sexually transmitted infections in all of Afghanistan.

Located in the Herat Regional Hospital, clinic operations include testing, treatment, counseling and preventative education. An adjacent pharmacy provides medications.

The clinic also conducts training for Afghan health staff. The programme is seeking to expand into community education, with additional programmes for HIV/AIDS.

With conflict and poverty still prevalent in Afghanistan, existing health facilities continue to be stretched far beyond capacity.

Now that the clinic is completed and operating, World Vision is seeking funding to continue the important work of the clinic for both treatment, education and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

In addition to funds for the present clinic, funding is desired for future clinic facilities to be constructed in neighbouring provinces.