, The Canadian Press, 15 March 2010 

EXCERPT: "The Afghan National Army began delivering medical aid and hygiene seminars to remote villages Monday as another means of fighting Taliban influence. Members of the 205 'Hero' Corps helped facilitate and guard clinics at three locations in Zabul province, east of Kandahar - a program that is being closely studied by Canadian commanders. Col. Mohammad Hakim Zahidi, the brigade's top doctor, says safeguarding the delivery of some health services was something the Afghan army did five years ago before NATO moved into southern Afghanistan. With the system resurrected, the hope is that more people will have consistent access to health care and eventually put more faith in the government. 'The Ministry of Public Health is not able to give these facilities to the people so therefore our army is going to help the clinics and support them,' said Zahidi, a doctor who studied at the medical institute in Kabul during the Soviet occupation."

Read the full .

Related articles:
Basic hygiene key to helping ordinary Afghans, Canada.com, 15 March 2010 
Knocked out of power in Afghan town, Taliban turn to intimidation, Miami Herald, 14 March 2010 

Related reports:
[pdf], United States Institute of Peace, 5 March 2010

Related posts: 
Anti-polio campaign unifies Taliban, govt, IGOs, 11 January 2010 
Swine flu adds to Afghanistan's many problems, 11 November 2009 
Afghanistan trains thousands of new midwives, 9 November 2009 
Overstretched health services in Kandahar, 17 September 2009 
Sanitation woes in makeshift IDP camps, 23 April 2009