Categories: World

Afghanistan stares at healthcare crisis as medical supplies dry up

<p>
Afghanistan is staring at a healthcare crisis as most medical facilities in the country are headed for closure with finance from Western donors drying up after the Taliban seized power in a lightning military campaign.</p>
<p>
Around 90% of 2,300 health facilities across the country might have to close as soon as this week, the WHO’s regional emergency director, Rick Brennan, told Reuters in an interview.</p>
<p>
Many Western donors come under regulations which prevent them from dealing with the Taliban, he explained.</p>
<p>
"We are going to have a pause in operations in a large proportion of those (health facilities). By some estimates up to 90% will cease functioning probably later in the week and that will be associated with increased illness and death," Reuters cited Brennan as saying.</p>
<p>
The WHO was trying to  fill the gap by providing supplies, equipment and finance to 500 of the health centres, he said.</p>
<p>
The UN agency was also in touch with Qatar for medical deliveries to be airlifted to Kabul as the airport has started functioning for aid flights.</p>
<p>
Along with other aid agencies, the WHO has also been facing problems in bringing in medical supplies as there was complete chaos at Kabul airport during the 15-day evacuation that was taking place in which over 120,000 people were flown out of Kabul. </p>
<p>
At present medical supplies continue to be flown in via the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the WHO is exploring overland options via trucks from Pakistan, Brennan said.</p>
<p>
A Qatari team has reopened Kabul airport for aid flights. Ariana Afghan Airlines claims it has also resumed some domestic flights between Kabul and three major provincial cities which would be of help in quickly moving crucial medical supplies. </p>
<p>
Flights from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif in the north, Kandahar in the south and Herat in the western part of Afghanistan have started, the airline said in a statement on its Facebook page.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/desperate-taliban-knocks-on-un-door-for-aid-as-starvation-looms-in-afghanistan-112808.html">Desperate Taliban knocks on UN door for aid as starvation looms in Afghanistan</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

“Buddhism shows world how to counter sectarianism”: President Droupadi Murmu at Asian Buddhist Summit

President Droupadi Murmu graced the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture,…

41 mins ago

Pakistan: Teachers agitate over non-payment of salaries for eight months

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to pay the salaries to teachers of non-formal girls'…

48 mins ago

“Whatever the verdict, our relationship with US will only grow”: EAM Jaishankr on US Presidential Elections

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong,…

3 hours ago

‘Political space given to extremist forces’: EAM Jaishankar on attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the recent attacks on the Hindu temples…

4 hours ago

Coast Guard Chief S Paramesh calls on Navy Chief Admiral, deliberates on ICG’s operational readiness

Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh has called on Indian Navy Chief Admiral…

5 hours ago

North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles ahead of US elections

Just a few hours ahead of the presidential polls in the United States, North Korea…

5 hours ago