Over the past decade, Helmand province has consistently seen clashes between government and opposition forces. It is one of the principle barriers for people seeking life-saving healthcare.

“The intensification and proximity of fighting is clearly limiting access to the hospital,” said Guilhem Molinie, MSF's Country Representative in Afghanistan. “In the immediate aftermath of fighting, one in four patients are currently unable to reach our Emergency Room.”

Patients report that roads are blocked and checkpoints are delaying reaching the hospital.

In August, an average of 25 patients per day, mostly children under five, have been hospitalized in the malnutrition ward. This is significantly fewer than usual for this time of year.

“Low numbers of malnutrition patients are especially concerning,” Molinie stressed. “Delays in treating malnutrition can stunt early childhood development and prove fatal. It is a main cause of child mortality in Helmand. Even without conflict-related delays, children often arrive at Boost hospital late and in critical condition.”

MSF has prepared a mass causality plan in case of a sudden influx of wounded due to the fighting, with materials stockpiled and triage protocols in place. We will continue treating people regardless of political, ethnic, religious or any other affiliation.

MSF has shared the coordinates and information related to all its facilities in Lashkar Gah with all parties to the conflict as it did in Kunduz last year. MSF has a strict no-weapons policy and all people entering our hospitals need to place their weapons in a safety locker.