The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to lift restrictions imposed on female aid workers so they can provide assistance to survivors of the deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.
Dr. Mukta Sharma, Deputy Representative of WHO for Afghanistan, raised this concern in an interview with Reuters, saying: “The very big issue right now is the increasing shortage of female staff in earthquake-affected areas.”
She estimated that about 90 percent of the medical staff in the region are men, while the remaining 10 percent are mostly midwives and nurses rather than doctors who can treat severe injuries. The shortage of female doctors, she said, prevents injured women from accessing proper healthcare.
The WHO also reported yesterday that a lack of vehicles to transport patients and the shortage of female health workers have limited the medical care available to earthquake survivors.
The organization further stressed that the current government’s restrictions on women’s movement are also disrupting women’s and children’s access to healthcare.
Sharma added that female aid workers and humanitarian organizations face uncertainty and, in some cases, are unable to take the risks required to carry out their duties.
She emphasized: “The restrictions are very high. The issue of mahram (the requirement for a male guardian) continues, and no official exemptions have been provided.”
She further expressed deep concern that women in the future may not be able to access mental health services, especially those coping with trauma or the loss of male family members.
Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that about 11,600 pregnant women have also been affected by the earthquake.
Cuts in funding — including reductions by the United States this year — have pushed the healthcare system into an even deeper crisis.
According to the WHO Deputy Representative, about 80 health centers in the affected areas have been forced to close this year due to the cut in U.S. aid, and another 16 health facilities were shut down because of earthquake damage.
