KABUL (The COW News Digital) Afghanistan’s healthcare system is in crisis under the Taliban regime, prompting a global alert from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO’s latest report, 14.4 million Afghans currently lack access to basic medical services, highlighting the severity of the humanitarian situation.
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The report reveals that in 2025 alone, more than 422 hospitals and clinics were forced to close, leaving 3 million people without essential treatment. The absence of female doctors due to Taliban restrictions has made healthcare access nearly impossible for Afghan women, exacerbating the nation’s public health crisis.
Experts warn that Taliban policies and systemic mismanagement have contributed to Afghanistan becoming a global center for polio outbreaks. Severe malnutrition has affected approximately 17.4 million citizens, compounding health challenges and placing further strain on limited resources.
“The collapse of Afghanistan’s healthcare system is directly linked to extremist policies, corruption, and the Taliban’s inability to manage essential services,” said a WHO representative. Humanitarian organizations report that ongoing security threats and Taliban-imposed restrictions have forced many international NGOs and aid agencies to scale back or suspend operations in the country.
The report also criticized the mismanagement of international funds, noting that oversight mechanisms, including the U.S.-funded watchdog SIGAR, have ceased operations due to corruption and misallocation of resources. This has further undermined efforts to maintain functional healthcare and public services.
Health experts warn that without urgent international intervention and policy reforms, the situation could deteriorate further, endangering millions more and increasing the risk of preventable diseases, including polio and other infectious outbreaks.
WHO has urged the Taliban regime to lift restrictions on female healthcare professionals, reopen critical health facilities, and allow humanitarian agencies unrestricted access to provide services. The organization emphasized that immediate measures are required to prevent further loss of life and protect vulnerable populations.
The Afghan healthcare crisis underscores the broader humanitarian challenges facing the country, where decades of conflict, political instability, and extremist governance have left millions without access to essential services.
