WHO Says Afghanistan's Health Care System On The Verge Of Collapse

 

Axios: WHO: Afghans facing "imminent humanitarian catastrophe" as nearly 1 in 4 COVID hospitals shut 

Afghanistan's health system is "on the brink of collapse" due to international funding cuts since the Taliban took over the country, World Health Organization officials said Wednesday. 

The big picture: Nine of Afghanistan's 37 COVID-19 hospitals have closed and "all aspects" of the country's pandemic response have declined, including testing and vaccination, per a statement from WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus following his visit to the capital, Kabul, where he met with Taliban leaders. 

* Measles outbreaks are spreading and the country's polio eradication efforts are at risk due to the funding cuts. 

* Afghanistan "faces an imminent humanitarian catastrophe," Tedros warns. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Afghanistan’s healthcare system on brink of collapse, as hunger hits 95 per cent of families -- UN News  

Update #2: WHO urges international donors to resume Afghanistan health funding -- Reuters  

WNU Editor: Lack of money is not the only problem. Like the Afghan army, Afghanistan's health system was dependent on Western aid. But with the Taliban now in power, much of that moeny is not going to be forthcoming, and I am sure many of Afghanistan's top doctors and health specialists now want to leave. And as for Western doctors and specialists going to Afghanistan .... that is not going to happen. 

Update #3: This is just a drop in the bucket .... UN releases funds to save Afghan health system from collapse (Al Jazeera).