LASHKARGAH, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, July 19 The Bayat Foundation laid the cornerstone to begin construction on a 50-bed maternity hospital in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand, Afghanistan's largest province. When completed later this year, the Fatema Bayat Maternity Hospital will include an operation and recovery room, pharmacy, waiting hall, kitchen, and power system to provide vital access to quality medical care.
Advertisement
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100719/DC36822)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100719/DC36822)
Security concerns in Helmand have prevented the area from receiving adequate humanitarian aid from the outside world. However, Mr. Ehsan Bayat remarked that, "We are committed to helping all Afghans, including those in remote and dangerous provinces. In fact, that is often where the help is needed the most. We believe that the new Fatema Bayat Maternity Hospital is an integral part of a new era in Helmand's development." Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal and Minister of Public Health, Suraiya Dalil, also attended the ceremony.
Advertisement
Other examples of the Bayat Foundation's efforts are the construction of 7 other Maternity Hospitals throughout Afghanistan located in Mazar-e-Sharif, Daikundi, Tora Bora, Faryab, with three more under construction Gardez and Behsood areas. These hospitals have already treated over 250,000 women and children, which are vastly improving the chances of survival in the country with the world's worst maternity survival rates. In addition, two general clinics in Sar-e-Pul and Kabul have received over 50,000 patients.
Other recent projects for all Afghans include providing countless tons of food and clothing to the poor, refugees, and those affected by harsh winters or flooding; the drilling of deep wells and water supply systems, building roads, construction of Mosques and religious buildings in Logar, Baghlan, Kabul, and Salang; with more under construction.
About the Bayat Foundation
Since 2005, the Bayat Foundation, led by Ehsan and Fatema Bayat, has contributed to over 200 projects to improve the quality of life for the youth, women, poor, and elderly of Afghanistan by constructing new facilities and infrastructure; promoting health, education, economic and cultural programs. The independent Kabul-based NGO Bayat Foundation, www.bayatfoundation.org.af promotes the well-being of the Afghan people. In 2002, Ehsan Bayat also launched Afghan Wireless Communication Company, www.afghan-wireless.com, the first GSM wireless service and Internet Service Provider in Afghanistan; followed by the 2005 launch of Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), www.arianatelevision.com, which includes both international coverage and Ariana Radio (FM 93.5). For more information, please email [email protected].
CONTACT: Soorya Arsala of the Bayat Foundation, 904-686-1470, [email protected]
SOURCE Bayat Foundation
