“I very much appreciate the co-operation between RobinAid and La chaîne de l’espoir making it possible to jointly build up a health care system in Afghanistan. Thanks to this partnership the Kabul French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) is the most visible and concrete example of civil aid and sustainable reconstruction of Afghanistan. I’m very proud to the fact that this commitment is a result of French - German partnership for this project.” Bernard Kouchner, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of France

French Medical Institute for Children

The French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) embodies a sign of hope for the medical treatment of children in Kabul since 2006. Built by La chaîne de l´espoir during 2003 to 2005 with the support of several donators and sponsors the hospital is run in cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). There is also a close cooperation between the French and Afghan government. Even the German affiliate organisation of La chaîne de l´espoir, RobinAid takes active part in the medical support of FMIC since March 2009.

Currently the hospital provides about 85 beds including 15 beds for pediatric intensive care, 4 operation theaters, a department of radiology including CT-Scan and MRI plus a laboratory and children with severe illnesses can be treated as well.

Today the hospital has staffed more than 400 employees, 94 % are Afghans. Administration and security are also ensured 24 hours a day. In March 2009 the facility was conferred the certification according to the seal of quality ISO 9001 and reflects the motivation and competence of FMIC. Since beginning the project in 2005 the German - French pediatrician Dr Alexander Leis (who is Member of the RobinAid Medical Board) leads this hospital as Medical Director.

In 2010 more than 70,000 patients (inpatients and outpatients) were treated in 10 clinical departments, 2.500 children with surgical interventions in the Departments of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and are more than 1,200 children in the intensive care unit. The Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery is the only one in the whole country. More than 200 children per day ask for a treatment in the Outpatient Department and the amount of patients is continuously increasing. The social circumstances within the population require a welfare program and treatment at no costs for at least 90 % of all patients.

We aim to educate local staff in that way, so that all treatments can be performed autonomously and the hospital can be operated on an entirely self-reliant basis. Access for everyone, treatment with international quality levels, education and financial stability define the foundation of our work. The French Medical Institute for Children is a convincing example for civil reconstruction and international humanitarian collaboration in a country that has to endure war and terror for over 30 year.