Peter Salama, MBBS, MPH, Chief, Health and Nutrition, UNICEF/Afghanistan, UN Compound, Kabul, Afghanistan, William Newbrander, PhD, REACH Afghanistan Project, Management Sciences for Health, 165 Allandale Road, Boston, MA 02130, Ferozuddin Feroz, Dr, Deputy Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Great Ahmad Shah Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan, and Abdullah Sherzai, MD, Ministry of Health, Afghanistan, MOH, Great Massoud Road, Kabul, Afghanistan, 00-93-70-285-759, Dr_sherzai@yahoo.com.

In March 2002, with a new transitional government installed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Health undertook the process to identify its major health problems. The dreadful maternal and infant mortality rates were made known around the world. The MOH determine that it must develop a Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) which (1) would have the greatest impact on major health problems, (2) were cost-effective interventions, and (3) the services could be delivered easily so that the 80% rural population would have access to basic services. The BPHS had to be an integrated package and not a compilation of vertical programs and piecemeal efforts. Finally, it had the BPHS had to be defined quickly as the country could not await a long, drawn-out process in light of the health condition of its population.

The seven components are maternal and newborn health; child health and immunization; public nutrition; communicable diseases; mental health; disability; and a regular supply of quality essential drugs. This presentation identifies (1) how 7 components of the package were identified, (2) why these 7 components were chosen; (3) how consensus was built among the government, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, the donors, and NGOs; (4) the result of provision of health services from identifying the BPHS; and (5) progress in providing access to the BPHS to the entire population. The expected long-term impact of introduction of the BPHS is also discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Those attending this presentation will learn of the dire health conditions faced by Afghanistan after 23 years of war and a repressive regime and how a country with limited capacity and resources seeks to find the means for having the greatest impact on the health of the people. Attendees will be able to identify the seven components of the Basic Package of Health Services and how it relates to the country’s major health problems.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.