Afghanistan risks health crisis as 80% of WHO-supported centers face closure
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — 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. The organization raised the alarm in a report published on March 17, stressing that millions could lose access to essential healthcare.
According to WHO, the shutdown of these centers would severely impact vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, and displaced persons. These facilities provide life-saving services, and their closure could trigger a major health crisis.
As of March 2025, 167 health centers have already closed due to financial shortages. WHO warns that if funding is not secured, another 220 centers would have to be shut down by June.
Edwin Salvador, WHO’s representative in Afghanistan, underscored the human cost of these closures. “This is not just about funding—it’s a human crisis. Mothers will be unable to give birth safely, children will miss life-saving vaccinations, and entire communities will be left vulnerable to deadly diseases,” he said.
The closures have been particularly severe in northern, western, and northeastern Afghanistan, where over a third of the health centers have shut down. This has heightened fears of a growing humanitarian emergency.
Khaama Press reports that Save the Children Fund also announced the closure of 18 health centers in Afghanistan, with 14 more expected to shut down in the coming months due to dwindling foreign aid. The reduction in international assistance has significantly affected health services, particularly for malnourished children who rely on treatment programs that are now at risk of being suspended.
The worsening crisis highlights the urgent need for sustained international funding to prevent the collapse of Afghanistan’s healthcare infrastructure. Without immediate intervention, millions will be left without access to essential medical care, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
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