Achille Dupre
Appearances
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
in this context that we assume the payment of salaries of health staff, also payment of drugs and materials and the monthly running costs for 33 public hospitals across the country. But this was clear from the beginning and we were transparent with the authorities
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
that this was intended as a temporary measure to maintain the country's healthcare system and prevent it from collapsing, and also allowing the authorities to get time to get organized to gradually assume their responsibilities.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
So this is the reason why, in full transparency with the authorities who have expressed their willingness to assume the control of the healthcare system, we have handed over the financial responsibilities on that in August 2023.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
This is clear that the situation in Afghanistan for communities is extremely difficult, not just in terms of access to health care, but what is clear also is that no single humanitarian actor can respond to the massive humanitarian crisis in this country.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
So providing health services to the population, this is clearly the responsibility of the authorities, and no international actor, humanitarian or otherwise, can do that.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
One thing is clear. We cannot look away. When we see the massive humanitarian needs within the country, it's clear that this needs engagement from many, many different actors. This needs funding. And this needs attention from the international community. This is one thing for sure. Of course, there are other crises happening around the world, but this one deserves attention as well.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
We are continuing to support the healthcare system all across Afghanistan. We have several programmes to do that. We are also maintaining a capacity to respond to emergencies, either involving mass casualties or natural disasters. And we are operating in Afghanistan our largest physical rehabilitation programme worldwide. that supported last year more than 200,000 people.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
These are people with disabilities, many of them victims of mines or victims of the wars that have been, unfortunately, Afghanistan's history for the last four decades.
Global News Podcast
$7.4bn settlement over painkiller that fuelled US opioid crisis
Just to give a bit of context, after the change of authorities in August 2021, we put in place an emergency program that was intended to prevent the tertiary healthcare system from collapsing, following essentially the power transition, the abrupt departure of many development actors, and also financial sanctions that affect the Afghan economy. So this is...