Foreign Aid Sustains Afghan Health Workers Amidst Challenges.
Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. the country's public health sector has faced severe challenges. relying on foreign aid to support health workers and maintain essential services. The donor-dependent economy. coupled with sanctions on Taliban entities. has pushed the health system to the brink of collapse.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) becomes played a crucial role. providing supplemental salaries for over 10,000 health workers across 33 hospitals. Although the ICRC program ended in August. foreign-funded payments persist, with UNICEF. now covering the salaries of more than 27,000 health workers, including 10,000 women.
UNICEF's initiative aims to prevent a further brain drain. in Afghanistan's health workforce, acting as a lifeline for the nation's health system. Despite these efforts, concerns persist about the immediate need for donor help. for 36 hospitals before supported by the ICRC.
The Taliban, currently governing Afghanistan. has not disclosed its budget for the health sector. and officials declined to comment on the allocation of domestic resources. This lack of transparency raises questions about the sustainability. of health services in the long term.
Amidst these challenges, the number of female health workers in Afghanistan is dwindling. Decades of struggles with a shortage of female professionals have led . to some of the world's worst women's health indicators. The Taliban's restrictions on women's education. and work further exacerbate the situation, reversing progress made in women's healthcare.
Afghanistan has not produced a single female doctor. in over a year due to the Taliban's ban on secondary and higher education for girls. This restriction poses a significant threat to the health sector, particularly for women.
UNICEF emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian help. stating that more than one-third of the population lacks access to health facilities. exacerbating the shortage of qualified health workers, especially women.
In conclusion, while foreign aid has provided crucial support. addressing the growing challenges in Afghanistan's health sector requires. sustained international efforts and a focus on gender-inclusive policies. to ensure the well-being of the population, particularly women.