[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52283-52284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-19409]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Continuation of the Rabia Balkhi Hospital (RBH) Physician 
Training and Support Program in Afghanistan

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of intent to fund a single eligibility award.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Global Health Affairs (OGHA) announces the 
intent to allocate fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for a grant program for 
services provided by the International Medical Corps (IMC) that will 
allow the continuation of the Rabia Balkhi Hospital (RBH) Physician 
Training and Support Program in Afghanistan. The goal of the project is 
to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates in Afghanistan 
through the training of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNS) and other 
health care workers at RBH. Forty percent of deaths among women of 
childbearing age in Afghanistan are caused by preventable complications 
related to childbirth, and an estimated one in four children dies 
before reaching their fifth birthday.

A. Purpose

    The project's main objectives include: (1) To improve the capacity 
of the hospital's staff to practice medicine, (2) to improve the 
quality of care for RBH patients. These services are expected to 
dramatically improve patient care and to make a substantial reduction 
in maternal and infant illness and deaths at the hospital.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program 
is 93.003.

B. Eligible Applicant

    Assistance will be provided only to International Medical Corps 
(IMC).
    The IMC is the only organization in Afghanistan qualified to 
collaborate with the Office of Global Health Affairs. IMC is a global 
humanitarian nonprofit organization, exceptionally well-qualified, with 
a vast network of health facilities staffed by a dedicated cadre of 
health care professionals. In Afghanistan, IMC has established a strong 
foundation for training activities, and the ongoing provision of 
primary health care services to men, women, and children throughout the 
country. IMC supported clinics have treated more than 500,000 men, 
women, and children in Afghanistan since 2001. No other institution in 
the country has the capacity and expertise to accomplish this task.

C. Funding

    Approximately $685,000 is available in FY 2004 to fund this award. 
It is expected that the award will cover costs for the period February 
1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. Funding estimates may change.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    For general comments or questions about this announcement, contact: 
Brian Trent, Management Operations Officer, Office of Global Health 
Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Room 18-101, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: 301-443-4560.
    For technical questions about this program, contact: Amar Bhat, 
Office of Global Health Affairs, Department of Health and Human 
Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 18-101, Rockville, MD 20857, 
Telephone: 301-443-1410, E-mail: [email protected].


[[Page 52284]]


    Dated: August 20, 2004.
RADM Arthur J. Lawrence,
Assistant Surgeon General, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Health, Office of Public Health and Science.
[FR Doc. 04-19409 Filed 8-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P