On the eve of Eid al-Adha (August 22, 2018), intense fighting broke out between the Taliban and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces near a farmer named Asmatullah’s house in Greshk district, Helmand province.

While offering late evening prayers in his home, Asmatullah, was shot in the spine and sustained life-threatening injuries. Amid the fierce fighting, Asmatullah was taken to the Helmand Emergency Hospital with the help of his family members and relatives. For more than a month he underwent medical treatment in the hospital, but he didn’t see any sign of recovery from his loss of sensation in his arms and legs.

Like many other war-wounded Afghans, Asmatullah did not have the necessary means to get advanced treatment. As the hospital was frequently flooded with dozens of victims of the conflict, Asmatullah was discharged and sent home without any hope of returning to normal life.

As Asmatullah returned home with paralyzed legs and hands, the hospital staff informed him of the Conflict Mitigation Assistance for Civilians (COMAC)’s healthcare services. Asmatullah said, “Hearing about COMAC’s healthcare assistance, I quickly got my uncle to go to the hospital to learn more. My uncle returned with good news, telling us that COMAC provided healthcare services to victims of conflict. Suddenly, my long-standing despair vanished”. COMAC’s regional team reached out to Asmatullah and transferred him to Kabul on October 16, 2018. In Kabul he received the medical care he needed to heal.

Asmatullah says, “COMAC provided all essential services for me. Praise be to Allah; my hands are now working. I gained some slight sensation in my legs and with the physiotherapy and medication provided to me, I am sure I will gain full control of my legs soon.”