ABUL, AFGHANISTAN – India has delivered 13 tons of tuberculosis (TB) vaccines to Afghanistan in its latest shipment of medical aid, as border closures with Pakistan continue to disrupt access to healthcare supplies and treatment for patients.
The vaccines were handed over to public health authorities in Kabul, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said on Monday. The delivery aims to strengthen Afghanistan’s child immunization programme against tuberculosis, one of the country’s most widespread infectious diseases.
Jaiswal described the shipment as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to support Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system amid multiple challenges.
India has provided several rounds of medical aid in recent months, including medicines, vaccines, and equipment. Earlier shipments included anti-cancer drugs, influenza and meningitis vaccines, as well as emergency supplies following natural disasters and conflict-related incidents.
Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern in Afghanistan. The World Health Organization says the country recorded 51,300 TB cases in 2024, up 3.3% from around 49,000 the previous year, despite more than 875 centers offering free diagnosis and treatment.
Health officials say many cases still go undetected, particularly in remote areas where access to care is limited. Delays in diagnosis and interruptions in treatment can increase the risk of transmission and drug resistance.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system continues to face pressure from shortages of trained medical staff, limited supplies of quality medicines, and funding constraints. International assistance has sharply declined since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, affecting service delivery across the country.
Pakistan has traditionally been a key source of medicines and a destination for Afghan patients seeking treatment, but border closures following clashes with the Taliban in October last year have disrupted supply routes and cross-border movement.
Before the closure, many Afghan patients, including those needing TB care, travelled to Pakistan for diagnosis and treatment. The restrictions have left many unable to access services, raising concerns over delayed care and possible spread of disease.
