KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) says that access to quality healthcare remains a pressing issue in Afghanistan, with over 18 million people depending on humanitarian health assistance in the country.
Marking World Health Day on Sunday, April 7, Dr. Jamshed Tanoli, the Acting WHO Representative in Afghanistan, underscored WHO’s commitment to bolstering health services in the country. He said that the goal is to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all, with special attention to the needs of women and children.
“It is our collective responsibility to act now to support the people of Afghanistan and recognize health as a human right,” he said.
“Let us strive for health care services that are accessible, equitable, and of high quality, reaching all Afghans including women and children.”
He also emphasized that the influx of Afghan returnees from the neighboring countries further strains the already fragile health systems, highlighting the need for resilient and responsive healthcare systems.
Over the course of nearly three years, the UN and international organizations have invested millions of dollars in Afghanistan to support the country’s healthcare system. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, the healthcare system in the country continues to deteriorate.
Millions of people do not have access to essential and quality healthcare services. Consequently, hundreds of individuals in need of healthcare services purchase costly visas to seek better medical treatment in neighboring countries, a luxury growingly becoming inaccessible due to rising prices and diplomatic tensions.
Women and girls face heightened vulnerability under the Taliban’s unrecognized regime, which limits their access to health services and imposes restrictions on their ability to travel long distances. Numerous reports indicate that the regime prohibits women from visiting hospitals without a male guardian accompanying them.
In the last two years, The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations have repeatedly warned of a crippling health system crisis in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has requested $367 million in funding to provide healthcare services to the 12.8 million people in Afghanistan in 2024.
In a social media statement, the UN Agency stated that this funding is necessary to enhance access to healthcare services and address severe acute malnutrition in the country.
Meanwhile, marking the day, Raffaella Iodice, the European Union Chargee d’Affaires to Afghanistan, affirmed that the EU continues to stand by the Afghan people and funds a wide range of health services across the country.
“We are making sure that more Afghans access a wide range of health services to fight infectious disease, address nutritional problems, mental health and substance use disorders,” she said.
