The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that if the suspension of foreign aid continues, around 10% of Afghanistan’s population will lose access to healthcare by the end of this year.
Edwin Seniza Salvador, WHO’s head in Afghanistan, stated that the country’s healthcare system is in a “very critical” condition.
He added, “If current challenges remain unresolved, the risk of infectious disease outbreaks—such as dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis—will increase, and vaccination coverage will also sharply decline.”
The organization reported that 364 health facilities have already closed due to a lack of funding, cutting off healthcare access for three million people.
WHO further warned that over 220 additional medical centers are on the verge of shutting down due to financial shortages.
This crisis has worsened following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the country from WHO and halt its aid, as the U.S. was one of Afghanistan’s largest donors.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system has relied on foreign aid for decades, particularly in remote areas. However, declining international support and escalating political and economic crises have severely impacted the funding and resources of medical facilities.
