The Need Improved Health Care Access to Reduce Mortality Rates Home to an estimated one million people, Badakhshan is the province with the highest ever recorded maternal mortality rate and an extraordinarily high infant mortality rate. Far too many people die simply because they lack access to basic health services. This is caused by the lack of health facilities in many areas, a lack of qualified competent medical professionals (especially female staff), and a lack of communications infrastructure which constrains referral systems. For example, Raghistan district has only one health clinic for a population of approximately 38,000 people. For the almost 10,000 people living in the Patir area, that one clinic is eight hours away by foot and completely inaccessible in the winter. Those isolated residents of Patir need better access to health care throughout the year. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the surrounding community have identified the Patir area as the optimal location for a new health facility. Temporary health services have recently begun, operating out of a community building. However, a purpose-built facility is required to give the full range of clinic services for those who would otherwise have nowhere to go for much of the year. Our Response Construct a New Health Care Facility By end of August 2009, Medair will complete construction of a new MoPH-approved health facility in the Patir area of Raghistan district. This clinic will improve the quality and effectiveness of health service provision in the region. A local sub-contractor is constructing the clinic, which is being planned and built in collaboration with the community to ensure a sense of ownership among the local population. The completed clinic will become a key regional health facility for basic health care, and will be staffed by a doctor who will conduct patient consultations. Community health care workers from health posts throughout the surrounding region will refer patients to this clinic. In addition, a regular vaccination programme will be run from the clinic. With Your Support We will complete construction of a quality health care facility for the 10,000 people living in the rural and remote Patir area. Until now, they have had no access to year-round clinic services, and even during the best weather conditions, a simple consultation involved an eight-hour walk each way. This clinic will have an enormous life-saving impact on the vulnerable people of Patir. The total budget for this project is US$ 272,200. Most of this amount has already been granted by governmental humanitarian aid organisations, but we are still seeking private support in the amount of US$ 93,000. This level of private support will enable us to meet our total budget target and complete this vital project.