UN says millions in Afghanistan lack basic healthcare access, with women facing additional restrictions and shortages of female medical staff worsening the crisis. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that many people in Afghanistan still lack access to basic healthcare services, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis.
In a statement on Tuesday, OCHA said it is working with support from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations to deliver essential health services to the most vulnerable communities. The agency noted that even in areas near Kabul, such as Paghman, patients are forced to travel for hours to reach the only available clinic, underscoring the severe lack of medical infrastructure. Health workers say long distances, poor transportation, and limited facilities continue to delay treatment, particularly for women and children in rural and underserved regions.
Meanwhile, UNICEF has warned that Afghanistan could lose up to 28,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030, a trend that would further strain already fragile public services. Restrictions imposed by the Taliban have in some areas limited women’s access to healthcare without a male guardian, creating additional barriers for female patients seeking treatment. Richard Bennett said such restrictions violate women’s rights and significantly hinder access to essential health services across the country. Afghanistan’s healthcare system has been under severe pressure due to years of conflict, economic crisis, and declining international funding, leaving millions dependent on humanitarian assistance.
International organizations have repeatedly warned that reduced support and operational restrictions could lead to further deterioration in public health outcomes. The shortage of female health workers is particularly critical in Afghanistan, where cultural norms require women to be treated by female medical staff, limiting access when such workers are unavailable. Humanitarian agencies continue to call for sustained funding and the removal of restrictions to ensure equitable access to healthcare services, especially for women and vulnerable populations.
