Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, returned to Kabul this evening after his historic visit to the province Badghis. President Karzai is the first leader of Afghanistan to visit the province of Badghis.

During this visit, the President laid the foundation stone of a new regional hospital, inaugurated a 400KW Diesel Generator and a bridge in Qala-e-Naw and met with the people of Badghis.

The new regional hospital will be built and equipped with 2.5 million Euros in funding from the Government of Spain. This facility’s diagnostic and treatment technologies will be state-of-the-art, including CT scanning, general radiology, ultrasound and a well-stocked pharmacy. It will also have major and minor surgery facilities and obstetrical and gynecology care.

The 400KW Diesel Generator was provided and constructed by the Spanish PRT in Qala-e-Naw. This new power generation facility provides 200 households with electricity in Qala-e-Naw.

While addressing a gathering of medical staff and health workers in Qala-e-Naw the President said, “The Government will work hard in the coming years to provide accessible and cost-effective quality medical care to all Afghans in every corner of the country.”

“Those who kill our medical staff are the enemies of Afghanistan. Afghans never kill doctors; it is the foreign mercenaries who kill our doctors. It’s the duty of the people of Afghanistan to safeguard health centers and medical staff.”

The President also visited the girls’ High School in Qala-e-Naw, met with teachers and students and discussed the situation of education in Badghis. The students asked the President to assist them with scholarships, teaching materials, computers and electricity.

While speaking to the students the President said, “I have instructed the Minister of Higher Education to provide scholarships to the students of remote provinces.”

The people of Badghis asked the President to assist them in the reconstruction of Herat-Badghis road and provide Badghis with safe water. The President assured them that the Government is working with the US Government on the reconstruction of the Herat-Kabul road.

The President added “The Minister of Energy will be going to Turkmenistan tomorrow to discuss the transfer of electricity from Turkmenistan to Badghis.”

After visiting the Spanish PRT, the President, on behalf o the people of Afghanistan, thanked the people and Government of Spain for their commitment to the reconstruction and security of Afghanistan.

The Spanish Ambassador reiterated his Government’s commitment to assist the people of Afghanistan with reconstruction and security.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan