Around 150 Health Centers in Afghanistan Shut Due to Budget Shortfalls, WHO Reports
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that since the beginning of 2026, approximately 150 health centers in Afghanistan have either closed or suspended operations due to budget shortages. This development has limited millions of Afghans’ access to medical services and increased pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
These centers operated with the support of aid organizations, but according to WHO, reduced financial resources have halted services in various sectors. On Wednesday, July 8, the WHO emphasized in a message posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page that the closure of these centers has had a direct impact on the provision of primary healthcare services.
Based on information from the organization, with the suspension of these centers’ activities, healthcare workers have lost the ability to vaccinate children, while mothers and other patients lack sufficient access to essential and quality services. This situation could have serious consequences for public health, especially in remote areas.
WHO further stated that currently, 22 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance, with over 14 million needing healthcare services. Meanwhile, the country’s healthcare system, which has been damaged by decades of conflict, has faced increasing pressures in recent years due to a reduction in international aid and the widespread return of migrants.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that without effective planning and sustainable resource provision, the current crisis could threaten the limited healthcare gains made in recent years. So far, the Taliban administration has not provided clear details on how it plans to address the budget shortfalls or prevent the further expansion of health center closures.
