Afghanistan’s fragile health system faces catastrophe without immediate international funding
Afghanistan has made important strides in healthcare delivery and outcomes despite political instability, but withdrawal of international funding threatens progress and system collapse, write Sabera Turkmani and Sheena Currie Afghanistan’s health system is on the brink of disaster. The system heavily depends on external funding, and 80% of its health facilities face closure owing to a severe funding shortfall.12 Afghanistan remains one of the most protracted humanitarian emergencies in the world. The population is grappling with entrenched poverty, climate induced crises, and barriers to women’s equality and participation in public life following the political transition in August 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country.3 If international donors do not intervene to fill funding gaps, Afghanistan’s fragile health system will crumble, with deadly consequences. The collapse of the previous government resulted in the suspension of international development assistance, which p
