The medical care, in particular the possibility of inpatient treatment, is completely inadequate and in many parts of the country, especially in the countryside, almost non-existent. In the event of illness or accidents, the immediate transfer to a hospital of the foreign military units or repatriation must take place. Only in the big cities are there pharmacies that stock a satisfactory range of medicines. Refrigerated storage of medicines is not guaranteed. Anyone who is dependent on the constant intake of medication should bring it with them and have the need certified by the doctor treating them. Adequate equipment in the first-aid kit (observe customs regulations, accompanying certificate advisable). International health insurance with cover for the risk of a rescue flight and with assistance services for emergencies is strongly recommended. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1]: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers who want to enter within 6 days of staying in an infection area designated by the WHO. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas, transit passengers who do not leave the transit area in Afghanistan and children under the age of 1 year. [2]: In Kabul and in the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Kapisa, Kunduz, Logar, Nangarhar, Uruzgan and Zabul there is an increased risk of cholera infection, which primarily affects the local population. Careful hygiene measures are always recommended. A cholera vaccination is usually not required for travelers. However, proof of cholera vaccination may be required by the authorities. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. [3]: A typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. Poliomyelitis occurs. The WHO requires Afghanistan to ensure that all those leaving Afghanistan with a stay of at least 4 weeks certify a valid vaccination against poliomyelitis, which must have taken place four weeks to 12 months before departure. In the case of shorter stays, a vaccination should be given when you leave the country. Afghanistan can prevent people who are not vaccinated against polio from leaving the country. [4]: Malaria protection is required for areas below 2000 m from May to November inclusive. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported in the less common but more dangerous form of Plasmodium falciparum (tropical malaria). The less dangerous form Plasmodium vivax (malaria tertinana) also occurs. [5]: Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for various infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, polio, typhus, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases), which are transmitted through contaminated food or drinks. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When purchasing bottled water, care should be taken that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is not pasteurized outside of urban areas and should also be boiled. Dairy products should be made from pasteurized or boiled milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. be made of boiled milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. be made of boiled milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled.
Other risks
Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Hepatitis B is endemic. Vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B is recommended. Hepatitis E occurs. Recommended vaccination protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and typhus (see note [2]). Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis is recommended for longer stays. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by butterfly mosquitoes, is widespread all year round, but especially from May to the end of October, especially in Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Parwan, Balkh, Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Rabies from stray dogs is common. Cats, forest animals, bats and other animals are also vectors. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Rabies from stray dogs is common. Cats, forest animals, bats and other animals are also vectors. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Rabies from stray dogs is common. Cats, forest animals, bats and other animals are also vectors. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents.
bird flu
The avian influenza virus (H5/H5N1) was detected in birds in Afghanistan and confirmed by the World Animal Organization (OIE) on March 20, 2006. Human cases of illness have not yet become known in Afghanistan. However, travelers should stay away from poultry and avoid any contact with live or dead animals. The consumption of raw poultry dishes and eggs should be avoided. However, well-cooked poultry dishes and eggs can be enjoyed without hesitation. Thorough cleaning of the hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand disinfectant solutions is generally recommended as a precautionary measure.
Money
Currency
1 Afghani = 100 pulse (in practice without meaning). Currency abbreviation: Af, AFN (ISO code). The Afghani banknotes are in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Af. US$ is accepted as a major currency.
Credit cards
Credit cards are not accepted in Afghanistan.
ATMs
Bank debit cards are not accepted in Afghanistan. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey. In Kabul (New Kabul Bank, Afghanistan International Bank) it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs with Visa, Mastercard and American Express. A sign on the machine indicates whether cards with the Cirrus and Maestro symbols are accepted.
Traveler’s checks
Travelers checks are not recommended.
Bank opening hours
Sat-Wed 08.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.30, Thu 08.00-13.30.
Foreign exchange regulations
No restrictions on importing foreign currency; duty of declaration. The export of foreign currency may not exceed the sum of the specified imported sum. The import and export of the national currency is limited to 500 Af.
Currency Exchange
It is common practice to exchange money with street vendors, here the amount received should be recounted. It is safer, but more time-consuming, to change money at one of the banks in Kabul. Larger hotels also exchange in local currency.
