Taliban takeover of Afghanistan: what will be its impact on healthcare?

摘要

An effectively functioning national health care system that is capable of catering to the health needs of the population is an essential prerequisite in ensuring well-being in all aspects. Prolonged conflict, violence, terrorism and social disharmony disrupt health care systems. Afghanistan has witnessed this for four decades. The country lags behind many others in social, economic and health indices, coming 164 out of 184 in the 2020 Human Development Index, even before the Taliban takeover (UNDP 2020). For the past two decades, efforts have been made by international agencies to provide finance to build the health care infrastructure and train health care workers, and these efforts to establish the country's health care system have been successful to a limited degree. The recent changeover of power in Afghanistan has renewed fears of the consequences of Taliban rule, in view of past experiences. While the world's focus has remained mostly on consequences for human rights, and political, economic and security repercussions, the impact on health care also needs to be assessed. This is particularly relevant in the light of social restrictions and curtailment of the rights of vulnerable groups like women and children, economic collapse, international isolation, insufficient medical supplies and scarce health care workers. This commentary analyses the current situation and warns of the possibility of grievous adverse short- and long-term impacts on health care in Afghanistan.