EU allocates €5 million for medical training in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — The European Union (EU) has committed €5 million ($5.43 million) to support EMERGENCY, an international non-governmental organization (NGO), in enhancing medical training programs across Afghanistan.
This three-year initiative aims to improve access to high-quality healthcare by developing specialized skills among residents, nurses, and midwives.
Founded in 1994, EMERGENCY provides free medical and surgical care to victims of war, landmines, and poverty. Operating in Afghanistan since 1999, the organization has treated over 8 million patients and runs several key healthcare facilities, including a Surgical Center for War Victims in Kabul, another in Lashkar-Gah, and a Maternity Center in Anabah.
Afghanistan faces a severe healthcare crisis, with nearly two-thirds of the population living in multidimensional poverty and over half requiring humanitarian assistance. The departure of many health workers after August 2021 has further weakened the country’s medical workforce. As a result, access to affordable, high-quality care remains a challenge, with public services struggling to meet growing needs.
The EU’s funding will support EMERGENCY’s training of Afghan medical professionals at all its free healthcare facilities in Kabul, Helmand, and Panjshir. The initiative is part of the EU’s ECHO aid program.
Over the next three years, the training programs will enroll 75 medical residents—including 15 Afghan women—in fields such as surgery, anesthesia, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Additionally, 420 nurses, including 140 women, and 65 midwives will receive specialized training to enhance healthcare delivery.
EU Chargée d’Affaires Veronika Boskovic Pohar emphasized the long-term impact of the project.
“This project represents more than just an investment in the healthcare system. It is an investment in the people of Afghanistan. By enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals and empowering women in the sector, we aim to improve patient care and build a healthier, more equitable future for all Afghans.”
EMERGENCY’s Afghanistan Country Director, Dejan Panic, said that at the heart of this project lies a vision where every healthcare worker in Afghanistan, whether in a bustling city or a remote rural community, has the skills, resources, and support needed to provide exceptional care.
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