Day 12 - Health Care

Pashtuns are famous for their long-suffering, obstinate determination in the face of incredible obstacles. This great strength is often counter productive to their overall health.  When someone is sick they ignore the signals and press on.  Inshallah (God willing) they will get better!  

There is an appalling lack of information about health and sickness. The pendulum swings from total patient ignorance of their own bodies to entire trust in the omnipotence and omniscience of the doctor and medicine to solve the problem! ‘Good’ doctors are expected to prescribe antibiotics and a list of other drugs, no matter what. Yet doctors are aware that psychosomatic illness is also common.  Being sick is a way to get some individual attention or time to relax.  It might be used as an escape from difficult family situations. 

Attempts to promote basic hygiene and nutritional information encounter religious and cultural barriers.  For example during the month of fasting exceptions are allowed for nursing women and the sick.  Still many people continue to fast despite their health situation, under the belief that they will earn extra merit, or out of fear of criticism. Ignorance of their own anatomy, minimal education, superstition and fear of going against custom, often prevent the larger family unit from escaping crippling diseases and harmful health practices.

Pray that: 

• Medical needs will bring Pashtuns to their knees crying out to Jesus, the Healer.

• Health care workers and health educators will have patience and find creative ways to carefully change traditional practices towards healthier ones. 

• Many Christian doctors, nurses and medical personnel will go to Pashtun areas, especially the under-served Pashtun provinces of Afghanistan.

Luke 8:48 Your faith has healed you.  Go in peace.

(In Afghanistan for every 100,000 people, there are 1.1 doctors, 1.5 nurses, 0.3 midwives, and 0.16 trained birth attendants. Infant and maternal mortality rates are the highest in the world.)