Healthcare in Afghanistan: The Nonexistent Infrastructure
Throughout the late 20th and early 21st century, healthcare infrastructure within Afghanistan was nearly nonexistent. USAID reports that in 2002, only 9% of Afghans lived within an hour’s walk from a medical facility. But even then, quality medical care was not within reach as hospitals lacked not only qualified personnel but equipment as well.
Women, however, suffered the most within this era. Under the Taliban regime, they were banned from seeking medical attention from men. Coupled with the restriction of women attaining higher education, the stream of female medical professionals became fewer and fewer with each passing year. Women’s hospitals were as a result severely neglected and failed to provide adequate medical attention.
Even today, medical care in Afghanistan is weak. In fact, Afghanistan’s health status is one of the worst in the world. Although international development organizations such as the Red Cross, USAID, and WHO have made changes, progress has been painfully slow. Infant mortality, death by childbirth, tuberculosis, polio, and such still ravage the country.
The fact still stands today that Afghanistan lacks basic medical care. Foreign governments and development agencies need to put an end to their rosy assessments. Results have yet to be made and painting a picture of progress is only ignoring a pressing issue that needs international attention.
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