The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently stated that women and mothers around the world need high-quality health care that supports them physically and mentally before childbirth, during delivery, and after birth. In a statement published on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization said that health systems must evolve to address the multiple challenges related to maternal and newborn health. According to part of the WHO report, these challenges include direct obstetric complications, mental health disorders, non-communicable diseases, and family planning. The World Health Organization further emphasized that investing in maternal and newborn health helps improve their quality of life. These remarks come at a time when Afghanistan’s health system has been severely damaged, and access to health services—especially for women and pregnant mothers—has significantly declined. The lack of medical specialists, particularly in women’s health, the absence of health centers in remote and conflict-affected areas, have been cited as some of the main factors contributing to maternal deaths during childbirth in Afghanistan. Following the return of the interim government and the closure of schools and universities to girls, concerns have increased over a shortage of medical staff across Afghanistan. At the same time, international organizations have repeatedly warned that the current maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan is among the highest in the world and have expressed concern about the further deterioration of the situation.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently announced that despite widespread crises and challenges in Afghanistan, women and girls in the country witnessed notable achievements and progress in 2025. In a video posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account to mark the New Year, the organization stated that over the past year, Afghanistan has seen not only ongoing crises but also valuable achievements and successful businesses. The organization further emphasized that during the past year in Afghanistan, health centers have been activated, farms have improved, women’s and girls’ businesses have grown, and families have returned to their homes. UNDP added that during this period, children were able to access safe drinking water without concern, and both men and women received quality treatment for diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. The United Nations Development Programme also expressed hope that 2026 will be a meaningful and promising year for the people of Afghanistan. In recent years, following bans and restrictions on women’s employment in many sectors, women and girls have been forced to turn to small and medium-sized businesses to meet their basic living needs. This comes as UNDP had previously announced that it has supported 89,000 businesses across Afghanistan, the majority of which are managed by women. Meanwhile, after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities have deprived women and girls of education and schooling. Most recently, they closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, despite the nationwide shortage of healthcare personnel. These actions by the current authorities have resulted in millions of female students being denied access to education. In addition, women have been barred from attending sports clubs, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian (mahram), working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, and even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

The “Polio-Free Afghanistan” initiative has recently stated that vaccinating children, including administering the polio vaccine, is vital to protect them from dangerous diseases. In a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization wrote that even in developed countries, children receive all essential vaccines, as this is crucial to ensuring a healthy future for them. The “Polio-Free Afghanistan” initiative also called on parents to fully vaccinate their children so they can be protected against dangerous diseases, including polio. It is worth noting that the organization had previously warned that children returning from Pakistan should receive the polio vaccine at border crossings, as positive polio cases have increased in that country. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only two countries in the world where cases of polio are still being reported. It should also be noted that polio eradication has been a global health goal for decades. Widespread vaccination since 1988 has significantly reduced polio cases, but the virus has not yet been completely eliminated. In 2025, around 36 confirmed cases of the poliovirus were recorded in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two countries where the disease remains endemic. Meanwhile, 149 cases of so-called “vaccine-derived polio” have been reported in countries including Nigeria. This type occurs when vaccinated children shed the virus, which, after mutating, can spread among unvaccinated populations. Despite this risk, global health authorities emphasize that continued vaccination and careful surveillance are the key to definitively ending this disease.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recently announced that improving practical and effective access to health services for women and girls is key to reducing maternal and child mortality in Afghanistan. In a post published on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization stated that every year a large number of women in Afghanistan lose their lives due to the lack of adequate healthcare facilities, even though many of these deaths are preventable. UN-Habitat also emphasized in part of its message that, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it is renovating the “Jannat Gul Khan” health center in eastern Kabul to increase women’s and families’ access to preventive and curative healthcare services. It is worth noting that Afghanistan’s healthcare system has depended on foreign aid for decades. The lack of medical specialists—especially in women’s health—the absence of health centers in remote and conflict-affected areas are cited as some of the main factors contributing to maternal deaths during childbirth in Afghanistan. Following the return of the caretaker government and the closure of schools and universities to girls, concerns have increased over the shortage of medical staff across Afghanistan. Meanwhile, international organizations have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan’s current maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world and have expressed concern about a further deterioration of the situation.

Noor Jalal Jalali, the Acting Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, has told an Indian media outlet that providing healthcare services without the presence of female staff in medical facilities across Afghanistan is impossible. Mr. Jalali made these remarks during his visit to India in an interview with the Indian network WION, stating that midwives and specialist doctors have been recruited to provide services to women and children, especially in rural areas. He further emphasized: “Women make up half of Afghanistan’s society, and without female health workers, the delivery of medical services is not possible. In Afghanistan’s health sector, a large number of female staff are employed, including midwives and specialist doctors. We are working to expand health services for women and children in remote areas of Afghanistan.” However, restrictions on women’s presence in some healthcare facilities and the shortage of female health workers in various provinces remain among the major challenges facing Afghanistan’s healthcare system, hindering the full delivery of health services to women and children. The Minister of Public Health also expressed appreciation for India’s “long-term and sustained” support to Afghanistan’s health sector, describing India as one of Afghanistan’s key and people-centered partners in healthcare services, medical education, and humanitarian assistance. He further noted that over the past decades, many Afghans have traveled extensively to India for the treatment of complex and specialized diseases, and described India’s medical visa as “a vital humanitarian pathway” for Afghan patients. Noor Jalal Jalali also stated that India is currently constructing a 30-bed hospital in the Bagrami area of Kabul, which will include a cancer treatment center, a trauma center, and five specialized clinics for women’s health and maternity care. According to him, the Indira Gandhi Children’s Health Hospital is considered one of the largest and most important pediatric treatment centers in Afghanistan, and officials of the current government have previously requested the Indian mission in Kabul to further strengthen the hospital’s infrastructure.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recently stated that Afghanistan continues to face one of the most severe humanitarian challenges in the world. In a report, the organization said that limited livelihoods, persistent unemployment, and restricted access to healthcare have pushed many families to the brink of survival. In 2025, approximately 22.9 million people—nearly half of Afghanistan’s population—required humanitarian assistance. The ICRC further emphasized that in such circumstances, the most vulnerable groups—including malnourished children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, female-headed households, and daily wage laborers—are disproportionately affected. According to the report, earthquakes, drought, floods, and climate change have destroyed agricultural crops, displaced families, damaged homes and critical infrastructure, and worsened food insecurity. The ICRC also referred to the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan, noting that their return has increased pressure on healthcare services, water supplies, food resources, and other sectors. The organization stressed that overall, Afghanistan’s humanitarian challenges stem from economic instability, climate shocks, displacement, economic sanctions, and declining international engagement. The Red Cross said that in 2025 it provided assistance to people across Afghanistan in various sectors and worked to strengthen their resilience. The ICRC reported that during this year it supported Afghans in access to safe drinking water, electricity supply, healthcare services, livelihood improvement, addressing the threat of explosive remnants of war, and physical rehabilitation. The report also noted that the organization assisted returnees and earthquake-affected people, and in cooperation with prison authorities, visited 12 detention facilities, conducted private interviews with detainees, and held discussions with government officials regarding detention conditions and ways to improve them.

The European Union’s Humanitarian Aid Office for Asia has recently announced that more than 21 million people in Afghanistan do not have access to safe drinking water. In a message published today (Monday, Dec 22) on its X account, the office stated that due to years of conflict and worsening climate conditions, water has become scarce in Afghanistan. The EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office for Asia further emphasized that it is installing wells and hand pumps for families to enable access to safe water. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Refugee Council yesterday established a water supply network for 300 families in Zabul. The lack of safe water in Afghanistan is considered one of the country’s most serious challenges. It is worth noting that the water crisis in Afghanistan is a widespread and growing challenge that threatens the lives of millions of people and has negatively affected public health, food security, and social stability. Previously, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a report referring to the impact of climate change on Afghanistan, warned that around 80 percent of Afghan citizens use contaminated and unsafe water for drinking. UNICEF has also warned about the spread of diseases caused by the use of contaminated water in Afghanistan. Earlier, UNICEF had warned that by 2030, Kabul’s water resources would be completely depleted. It is also worth noting that most children in schools across Afghanistan do not have access to safe water. This comes as the International Committee of the Red Cross stated on World Water Day that 33 million people in Afghanistan lack access to safe drinking water.

Noorjalal Jalali, the Acting Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan’s caretaker government, has recently stated that 95 percent of the population cannot afford the cost of their medical treatment. Mr. Jalali made these remarks during his visit to New Delhi, saying that if treatment is not made available in public hospitals, “people will die in pain and suffering.” During the trip, he acknowledged the widespread and deep poverty in Afghanistan and emphasized that Afghans consider India their “brother in difficult times.” Speaking at a meeting at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, he said: “I can say that India has shown us more affection than we could have imagined.” Mr. Jalali further added: “Afghans believe that India is their brother in times of hardship. Previously, about 70 percent of Afghanistan’s required medicines were supplied from Pakistan, but relations with Pakistan have now deteriorated.” The Acting Minister of Public Health also noted in part of his remarks that the quality of medicines available in the Afghan market is low. In strong statements, he stressed: “Those who counterfeit medicines and food should be executed.” The Health Minister called on Indian pharmaceutical companies to make both short-term and long-term investments in the Afghan market. He said India could meet Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical needs and, in the future, establish drug manufacturing factories in the country. He also urged India to build a well-equipped hospital in Afghanistan. Addressing participants at the meeting, Mr. Jalali said: “The Afghan market is at your service. Regardless of income and profit, Afghans are your brothers. Afghans have good memories of India.” He added: “It would be very good if you send high-quality and affordable medicines to your brothers.” This is the third senior official of the current government to have visited New Delhi in recent months. The purpose of the visit has been described as facilitating the import of medicines from India.