Afghanistan’s Ministy of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with USAID’s Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) program, the World Health Organization, and Kabul Medical University, is developing Standard Treatment Guidelines (STG) for the Basic Package of Health Services. STGs provide physicians, midwives, pharmacists, and community health workers with evidenced-based recommendations and guidance on the appropriate treatment of common diseases and medical conditions. Currently, there are no STGs in Afghanistan, which contributes to improper treatment and the inappropriate use of medicines.
In February, an STG Stakeholders Consensus Workshop gained wide support and buy-in from government officials, health care professionals, non-governmental organizations, private sector health providers, and international health agencies. An STG Writers’ Orientation Workshop followed on May 11-12 at the Ibn Sina Emergency Hospital to introduce treatment guideline concepts and to teach specific guideline writing principles. Thirty-seven participants from the MoPH and Kabul hospitals attended the two-day workshop. The STGs should be completed by the end of August.