WHO warns: 80% of Health Centers in Afghanistan at risk of closure due to funding shortage
The WHO has warned that 80% of health centers in Afghanistan could close due to a severe funding shortage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that 80% of health centers in Afghanistan under its support are at risk of closure by June due to funding shortages. This serious concern was raised in a report published on Monday, March 17. The WHO highlighted the potential consequences of these closures, especially for vulnerable populations.
According to the WHO, the closure of these centers would leave millions of people, including women, children, the elderly, displaced persons, and returnees, without access to essential health care. The report stressed that these centers provide vital services, and their shutdown would lead to a catastrophic loss of healthcare access.
As of March 2025, 167 health centers have closed due to financial shortages, disrupting care for 1.6 million people across 25 provinces. The WHO warns that without immediate action, another 220 centers could close by June, worsening the crisis.
Edwin Salvador, WHO’s representative in Afghanistan, emphasized that these closures are not just statistics—they represent mothers unable to give birth safely, children missing life-saving vaccinations, and communities without protection from deadly diseases. He stated that this is not just about funding, but a human crisis that threatens to undo years of progress in strengthening Afghanistan’s health system.
The closures have been particularly severe in northern, western, and northeastern Afghanistan, where more than a third of the health centers have shut down. This has raised concerns about an impending humanitarian crisis, with many communities facing increased vulnerability to diseases and lack of medical treatment.
Recently, Save the Children Fund also reported the closure of 18 health centers in Afghanistan, adding that 14 more centers will likely close in the next month due to a reduction in foreign aid. These closures highlight the severe impact of reduced international assistance on health services in the country, especially for vulnerable children suffering from malnutrition.
The lack of foreign aid has led to the suspension of critical programs, such as treatment for malnourished children, further deepening the health crisis. These challenges underscore the urgency of securing long-term funding to sustain essential health services in Afghanistan.
As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, it is clear that without immediate financial intervention and international support, Afghanistan’s health infrastructure will face even more widespread collapse, leaving millions without access to life-saving healthcare.
The post WHO warns: 80% of Health Centers in Afghanistan at risk of closure due to funding shortage appeared first on Khaama Press.