KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a significant rise in infectious diseases, including Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and measles, in Afghanistan in recent months amid a crippled healthcare system.
In its July report released recently, WHO highlighted a 20% increase in reported ARI cases, a 21.7% rise in measles cases, and a 67.6% surge in Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) compared to the June report.
According to WHO, in July alone, there were 78,188 positive ARI cases with 255 associated deaths, 7,779 suspected measles cases with 41 deaths, and 31,320 AWD cases with 12 associated deaths.
Additionally, 300 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) with 27 associated deaths were recorded, reflecting a 6.4% increase compared to the previous month. There were also 823 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 8 associated deaths, marking a 10% increase compared to the June report.
WHO reported that it continued to provide health services to people in need across Afghanistan in July by supporting primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
“In July 2024, 46 Health Cluster partners reached 589 205 people with humanitarian health services,” the UN health agency said.
“These services were delivered through 763 health facilities across 287 districts, encompassing all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Of the total reach, 46% were women and 33% were children,” it added.
Amid the humanitarian and governance crisis in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, the long-standing health crisis is worsening due to funding shortages, shortage of medicine, and a lack of skilled health professionals.
WHO and other health agencies have repeatedly warned of a severe health system crisis in Afghanistan, threatening millions of people with inadequate healthcare and increasing the risk of infectious diseases and outbreaks.
The Taliban’s restrictive policies, particularly their bans on women’s education and employment, have significantly worsened the situation. Over the past three years, many humanitarian agencies that were providing health services in the country have suspended their operations due to Taliban restrictions and funding shortages.
WHO says that access to quality healthcare remains a critical issue in Afghanistan, with over 18 million people relying on humanitarian health assistance.
