Afghan youth launches health awareness app

A young Afghan innovator in Herat has developed the “NCD” app to provide reliable information on cancer, heart disease, and diabetes

HERAT, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A young innovator in Afghanistan’s Herat, Mustafa Kaihan Akrami, has developed an app called “NCD” aimed at raising public awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

The app, created by Akrami and his team at a cost of around $900 over a span of one and a half months, provides accessible and reliable information on these prevalent health conditions. 

Available for both mobile phones and computers, the app includes text and audio content to ensure the information is easily understood by users.

“We created this app in response to the rising cases of non-communicable diseases. Many people lack basic knowledge about these conditions and often seek treatment too late,” Akrami shared with Pajhwok Afghan News. 

The app sources medical information from doctors and specialists, emphasizing prevention as a key to a healthier life, with a particular focus on nutrition.

The launch of the “NCD” app comes as Herat Regional Hospital reports a 30% increase in cancer cases, with over 5,000 cancer patients registered this year alone. 

Dr. Mohammad Tariq Sediqi, an oncology trainer at the hospital, noted the alarming rise in cancer cases, highlighting the need for more public awareness.

Health experts, including oncologist Rahmatullah Barkazi, have welcomed the app as a valuable educational tool. 

“Awareness is critical in reducing and even preventing certain diseases,” he said.

As Afghanistan faces growing healthcare challenges, innovations like the “NCD” app show the potential for local solutions to address gaps in medical awareness and prevention.