Health

In rural Afghanistan, the most virulent causes of death are diarrhea and pneumonia – afflictions related primarily to water and warmth. Safe water is one cornerstone of good health. Proper hygiene is another.

FGC’s hygiene education program provides basic health information such as the importance of hand washing, digging latrines and proper animal waste disposal. Much of FGC’s work in health is preventative in nature – educating villagers about basic hygiene and cleanliness, thereby helping to prevent the spread of disease and germs.

Much of FGCs recent health-related work has been in lobbying and government relations – encouraging the Afghan government to take responsibility for its citizens’ health. Future Generations Canada’s education program has proven so effective that the Afghan Minister of Public Health is considering adopting the system nation-wide.

The Need
FGC continues its health education program by means of training health care workers in the community. These community-based workers – usually mature village women – each villagers about hygiene, birth control, midwifery and other health issues.