The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently stated that people in Afghanistan continue to face challenges in accessing health services.
In a message published today (Wednesday, Dec 31) on its X account, the organization wrote that in 2025 alone, around 508,431 health consultations were provided for returnees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable families.
The IOM further emphasized that this support included general health services, mental health counseling, and psychosocial assistance.
The statement added that 64,947 women benefited from health services over the past year, and more than 91,000 children were screened for malnutrition.
The organization also noted that over 48,000 people received mental health counseling and psychosocial support.
It is worth noting that after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities deprived women and girls of education. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to women and girls, while the health sector across Afghanistan is facing a severe shortage of personnel.
This action by the current authorities has resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education.
In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
The imposition of these restrictions has had a direct impact on the country’s health sector.
These limitations have further restricted access to health services and will have serious consequences for public health, particularly for mothers and children.
International organizations have repeatedly warned about the shortage of female healthcare workers in Afghanistan, stating that restrictions on women’s education at universities have paralyzed the country’s health sector.
