WHO Donates 25 Tons of Medicine to Afghanistan’s Cancer Hospitals Amid Drug Shortages
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the delivery of 25 metric tons of essential medicines and medical equipment to Afghanistan’s National Cancer Hospital and the cancer ward of Aliabad Hospital in Kabul, as well as to three regional cancer treatment centers in Nangarhar, Balkh, and Herat provinces.
This assistance includes vital anti-cancer (chemotherapy) drugs and special non-communicable disease (NCD) kits. The aid comes as cancer treatment centers in Afghanistan face shortages of medicines and diagnostic and treatment facilities, forcing patients to seek services from a limited number of specialized hospitals.
According to released information, this support is funded by the European Union in Afghanistan. The NCD kits are expected to enable treatment for 16,200 patients, while the anti-cancer medicines will support the treatment of 13,130 patients over the next six months.
Cancer and other non-communicable diseases represent growing challenges in Afghanistan. International health organizations have consistently emphasized the need to strengthen diagnostic and treatment services in the provinces, to prevent patients from incurring costly and lengthy travel to Kabul or abroad for care.
