The baby lies with his eyes closed, his fleecy blanket a riot of reds, pinks and greens. On his nose a sticking plaster holds the tubes in place that run into the tiny nostrils, feeding him a milk solution that should help him regain his strength. His mother watches him intently from a nearby chair, […]
Country and Region: Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Deprived of healthcare by poverty, restrictions and a disfunctional system
A dysfunctional health system, widespread poverty, and increased restrictions placed on women are at the heart of the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, according to a new report published by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Policymakers, donors and local authorities must urgently focus on strengthening primary medical care at district levels to improve […]
Afghanistan: “It is difficult to know that we are something less”
The future of female patients and health workers in Afghanistan is being threatened by the recent decree issued by the Ministry of Economy prohibiting women from working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Though health workers, including MSF staff, are currently exempted from the ban, there is no formal assurance that they will be able to continue […]
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MSF condemns the ban on women working for NGOs and their erasure from public life in Afghanistan
After months of continuous restrictions placed on the female population of Afghanistan, limitations placed on their participation in everyday life, access to education, and most recently even the right to work for non-governmental organizations, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) strongly condemns the Islamic Emirate’s erasure of women from social life in the country. “More […]
Afghanistan: MSF hospital in Kandahar provides hope for people with TB
Jawahira was referred to the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) tuberculosis (TB) hospital in Kandahar earlier this year from a clinic in Daikundi, central Afghanistan. “I used to visit private clinics, but instead of giving me TB medication, they usually just prescribed me painkillers,” she says. The cost of searching out treatment also took […]
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MSF intervenes to support the victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan
Following the earthquake that struck Khost and Paktika provinces in Afghanistan on the night of 21 to 22 June, Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) sent teams made up of medical and logistical staff to the worst-affected areas. Hundreds of people are thought to have been killed, over a thousand wounded, and many homes […]
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Afghanistan: Measles poses deadly risk for malnourished children
Zainab didn’t sleep well last night. The lights and the incessant beeping of the machines in the intensive care unit would keep anyone awake. But mainly she couldn’t sleep because she was worried about her one-year-old son, Takberullah. He also had a restless, irritable night as he was having trouble breathing until the doctor gave […]
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Malnutrition soars in Herat as Afghanistan healthcare is at breaking point
The Afghan healthcare system has been fragile and plagued by major gaps for years now, and the suspension of international aid as a result of the recent political developments has further deteriorated the situation.
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Overcoming obstacles: Treating trauma in Kunduz
Fighting in the city of Kunduz in north-eastern Afghanistan ended on August 8, 2021. During the clashes, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) transformed its office space into a temporary trauma unit to treat the people wounded. That unit is now closed and on August 16, all patients were transferred to the nearly-finished Kunduz Trauma […]
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Afghanistan: Injuries and displacement soar as violence spreads around the country
This is impeding access to medical care, increasing the number of people killed and wounded by bullets and explosions, and causing widespread displacement. […]
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