The WHO has warned that funding shortages could lead to the closure of 80 percent of healthcare services in Afghanistan, affecting millions. Currently, 167 facilities are closed, risking access for 1.8 million people. Urgent financial support is needed to sustain healthcare services amidst ongoing health crises.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concerns regarding funding shortages in Afghanistan, indicating that these issues could result in the closure of 80 percent of essential healthcare services endorsed by the agency. As of early March, 167 healthcare facilities have already ceased operations, impacting access to medical care for approximately 1.6 million people across 25 provinces.

The WHO further emphasized that without immediate intervention, an additional 220 healthcare facilities might close by June 2025, which would leave another 1.8 million Afghans without access to primary healthcare services. The regions most affected include the north, west, and northeast, where over a third of healthcare centers have shut down.

In recent reports, 41 healthcare centers were closed in eastern Ghazni and central Bamiyan due to cuts in US assistance. Following the suspension of US humanitarian aid, 50 aid organizations in the country have also halted their operations. Afghanistan grapples with multiple health crises, such as measles and malaria, which are exacerbated by the lack of operational health facilities.

Recent statistics reveal over 16,000 suspected measles cases in the first two months of 2025 alone, leading to 111 deaths. With immunization rates alarmingly low—only 51 percent for the first dose and 37 percent for the second dose of the measles vaccine—children are increasingly vulnerable to preventable diseases.

Disruptions to the WHO’s coordination mechanisms impair health partners’ abilities to track disease outbreaks and provide essential services, potentially worsening the already fragile healthcare infrastructure in Afghanistan. While some donors continue to show support, the overall funding has seen a significant reduction, thereby threatening the delivery of crucial healthcare services to millions of Afghans in dire need.

In summary, the WHO’s warning about funding shortages in Afghanistan underscores a critical health crisis looming over the nation. The potential closure of hundreds of healthcare facilities could severely impact millions who rely on these services. Urgent financial intervention is necessary to sustain essential healthcare infrastructure and combat ongoing health emergencies, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the necessary medical attention to prevent outbreaks and deaths from preventable diseases.

Original Source: www.thehansindia.com

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