Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Afghanistan!
Posted by African Press International on January 20, 2007
The Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs reports on a successful visit to Afghanistan. “During his visit to the Norwegian Provincial Protection Team (PRT) in Maymana this week, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store was briefed by the Norwegian military medical officer on the situation of a 10-year-old girl, Naroz Gulandeer, who is suffering from life-threatening burns.”
Treatment in her country is below the minimum due to shortage of hospital equipments. “Naroz has been treated at the provincial hospital in Maymana, where a Norwegian medical team has assisted local medical personnel. However, her burns are so severe that special treatment is required to save her life. Such treatment is not available in Afghanistan, and a Norwegian hospital has offered to treat Naroz in Norway.”
While in the country and after being briefed about the girl’s agony the minister decided to become a good Samaritan. “Foreign Minister Store has spoken with Naroz’ family and offered bring her to Norway for treatment at Haukeland Hospital in Bergen. The family has accepted the offer, and Naroz and her father are on their way to Norway today on board Foreign Minister Støre’s plane. The patient will be accompanied by a medical team from the Norwegian Defence Force. The plane will leave Kabul Friday afternoon (13:00 CET) and fly directly to Bergen, where the girl will be taken to Haukeland Hospital.”
According to the information from the foreign affairs, “Norway will collaborate with the International Red Cross on funding a project to deal with the general problem of burns in Afghanistan, which in particular affects women and children. The project will put emphasis on prevention and capacity-building.”
Speaking to reporters the minister was quoted saying, “I wish to express solidarity with Afghanistan. By helping Naroz, we wish to focus on and gain support for an international programme headed by the WHO aimed at reducing deaths and injuries from burns, which is a particular problem in developing countries.”
However, not every suffering girls like her gets to meet foreign ministers who offer them help. This must be seen as an exceptional happening.
By Korir,
Published by African Press in Norway, APN, africanpress@chello.no
Tel +47 932 99 739
source.mfa.no
