KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) says that tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health challenge in Afghanistan, with over 50,000 cases reported in 2024 alone.
In a statement marking World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the agency noted that despite the existence of more than 875 centers across the country offering free TB diagnosis and treatment, the disease persists.
“TB is preventable and curable, and no one should suffer in silence, and no patient should be stigmatized,” said Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO’s representative in Afghanistan. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening the country’s TB program.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease spread primarily through the air, particularly when individuals with active TB cough or sneeze. WHO advises people to cover their mouths and nose to limit transmission.
The organization emphasized that defeating TB requires increased investment in prevention and treatment, public-private sector collaboration, and engagement with communities most affected by the disease.
The warning comes as Afghanistan’s healthcare system is grappling with increasing challenges, including a shortage of trained medical staff and limited access to quality medicines. The Taliban’s restrictions on women—especially bans on their education and employment in the health sector—have further deepened the crisis.
International organizations and health officials warn that Taliban restrictions have resulted in a significant decline in the number of female healthcare professionals who play a crucial role in providing care to women and children.
Adding to the strain, Afghanistan’s healthcare system has been deeply affected by the sharp decline in international humanitarian and development aid since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
The WHO and other global agencies say that the deteriorating healthcare system poses a grave risk to millions of people in Afghanistan, leaving them vulnerable to infectious diseases like TB and potential large-scale outbreaks.
