KABUL (Tolonews): From the closure of health centers to maternal and infant mortality and the negative effects of sanctions on foreign aid, the system endured significant strain.
Despite these challenges, achievements such as self-sufficiency in medicine production and progress in polio vaccination were considered important advancements in the country’s healthcare sector.
While the UN Population Fund reported on August 24 that Afghanistan needed 18,000 midwives, on December 4, medical education institutions were closed to girls, a decision that sparked widespread domestic and international reactions.
“One day when we came to the institute, the director told us not to come anymore, the institutes were closed. Later, we were given ten days to come back and take exams,” said Haida, a midwifery student.
Maternal and newborn health has always been a significant focus for the country’s healthcare system and global aid organizations.
In 1403, the World Health Organization reported that 24 mothers and 167 newborns die daily in Afghanistan.
The European Union and the UN Population Fund also stated that a mother dies every two hours in the country from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related diseases. These figures indicate that major issues persist in this area.
“Health centers and the number of hospital beds need to be increased. The number of female doctors should be raised nationwide, and necessary medicines should be available in every hospital department,” said Najmulsama Shafajo a doctor.
The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) warned that maternal mortality could increase by 50% by 2026 in Afghanistan. One of the main causes identified was the shortage of female healthcare workers.
However, on December 26, Mohammad Hassan Ghiasi, Deputy Minister of Policy and Development at the Ministry of Public Health, denied the shortage of female health workers and spoke of enhanced cooperation in this regard. He emphasized that programs are underway to improve women’s healthcare services.
“We have more than 30,000 midwives who are not yet employed in the system and are waiting for opportunities. We assure our sisters that in new centers, respecting all religious and Islamic values, their expertise and knowledge will be utilized,” said Ghiasi.
Foreign aid also faced serious challenges in 1403. Following the suspension of US foreign aid, the health sector was adversely affected.
On February 12, local officials in Ghazni and Bamyan provinces reported the closure of dozens of health centers.
“The operations of 39 health centers have stopped, including 15 small clinics, 3 sub-centers, 17 mobile teams, one safety center, and two medical clinics. In total, 39 health facilities have shut down in Ghazni province,” Hamidullah Nisar, Head of Information and Culture in Ghazni.
The situation of health centers nationwide was also concerning. On March 12, Save the Children reported the closure of 18 health centers and stated that another 14 centers it supports would also shut down in the coming month.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also warned that 80% of its health centers in Afghanistan may close by June 2025.
Following WHO’s report, Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, told TOLOnews: “Our request to the international community and aid organizations is to support this organization so that it can continue delivering services to the people of Afghanistan.”
The polio vaccination campaign changed from a house-to-house approach to being administered at designated sites and mosques on October 28, which drew criticism from families.
Although countries and foundations such as Indonesia, Japan, and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) helped fight polio in Afghanistan, on February 1, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean warned that the US withdrawal from WHO would pose serious challenges, especially in eradicating polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Hanan Balkhy, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, said: “The announcement of the United States’ withdrawal from WHO is undoubtedly regrettable, especially because the United States has provided significant support over the past seventy years since the establishment of the WHO. This includes substantial contributions to the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in combating polio. We are now in the final stages of eradicating polio in the last two countries in the world—Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
The Ministry of Health announced that 72% of district residents lack access to secondary health services.
The acting minister also mentioned that the leader of the Islamic Emirate approved a special budget to build 318 hospitals across the districts.
“A special budget has been approved by the Amir al-Mu’minin of Afghanistan for constructing public hospitals in 318 districts. Legal and preliminary steps have been completed, and construction has practically begun. It will create employment for 27,000 professional and administrative staff through a systematic and transparent recruitment process, stated acting Minister Noor Jalal Jalali.
One of the significant achievements in 1403 was attaining self-sufficiency in medicine production. For the first time, Afghanistan became self-reliant in producing IV serum, exporting nearly two million serum bags worth $580,000 to Iraq.
This accomplishment not only supported the economy but also strengthened the domestic pharmaceutical industry and reduced dependency on imports. Despite efforts made, challenges in the healthcare sector persist. Reports and statistics show that various areas, especially in remote regions and districts, still face serious problems. Political and economic instability and sanctions continue to negatively affect this sector.
