Doctors Without Borders: Many people in Afghanistan do not have access to healthcare facilities

Bayan News – New findings from Doctors Without Borders indicate that many people in Afghanistan still do not have access to healthcare facilities, and patients are forced to travel long distances to reach standard clinics.

In their report, the organization presents a picture of the situation of children suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan and shows that the factors contributing to this challenge are still present.

The report states that many people struggle to provide basic and emergency care for their patients, especially children with malnutrition.

According to this report, the economic crisis in Afghanistan indicates that most people likely had the ability to afford treatment expenses in private health centers in the past, but now rely on the support of healthcare facilities supported by international organizations.

According to Doctors Without Borders, many people either do not have access to healthcare facilities or are forced to incur significant costs and travel long distances to reach distant clinics.

The organization has reported that in 2023, in the provinces of Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand, over 10,400 children under five years old received treatment; however, in the first four months of the current year, 2,416 malnourished children have been treated, representing a five percent increase compared to last year.

The report also mentions that breastfeeding mothers cannot produce enough milk for their babies due to insufficient access to adequate food, which negatively impacts the health of children.

The organization presents a picture of the situation of children in their clinics, indicating that the lives of children and infants in Afghanistan are under the control of the Taliban.

Doctors Without Borders added that other clinics of the organization and government healthcare facilities supported by the organization face similar situations.

This report is being released at a time when, following the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, global community aid, including healthcare assistance, has significantly decreased.

According to published statistics, hundreds of health centers in various provinces of Afghanistan have closed due to insufficient budget.

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