JALALABAD - Doctors in eastern Nangarhar province have decided to receive fee payments from patients only in afghanis, saying they would not accept the Pakistani currency.
Dr. Amal Zaki, head of medics association in the province, said all members had promised accepting fees only in afghanis from patients.
The decision was essentially aimed at promoting the national currency, he said, seeking cooperation from the public and the government.
Najibullah Ibrahimi, a dentist, called on patients to pay fees in afghanis. He hoped the switch from the rupee to the afghani would help strengthen the local currency.
Gul Rahim, a handcart pusher, said his income was very low and he was unable to convert the rupees into afghanis for the treatment of his patients.
He believed the decision -- supported by the Nangarhar government -- would pay off only if all transactions were made in afghanis.
Governor Shah Mahmood Miakhel hailed the decision. “I thank medics for taking this step. I call on all other sectors to take similar steps and use afghanis,” he wrote on his Facebook page. (Pajhwok)