Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Afghanistan’s healthcare system nears collapse as aid cuts force closure of 425 facilities, leaving 23 million people in urgent need of food, clean water, and medical care.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapse following the Taliban’s return to power, as international aid, once the backbone of medical services, has been almost entirely cut off.
The U.S.-based New Lines newspaper reported on Thursday, August 14, that more than 23 million people, nearly half of the population, now need assistance to access food, clean water, or basic healthcare.
This crisis has deepened significantly since the withdrawal of most foreign aid and the exit of international relief agencies, leaving millions without reliable access to medical treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, over 425 health facilities have shut down, forcing many patients to travel for hours to reach the nearest functioning hospital or clinic.
Despite the end of large-scale fighting, hospitals remain in a state of emergency. Doctors say they now treat injuries from domestic violence, stabbings, and road accidents, along with medical complications caused by the lack of primary healthcare.
Health experts warn that without a rapid restoration of international funding and supplies, the country faces a complete breakdown of its health system, leading to a sharp rise in preventable deaths.
Aid organizations are urging the global community to act immediately, stressing that Afghanistan’s health crisis is now as severe as it was during the height of the war.