IOM Reports Serious Challenges in Access to Health Services in Afghanistan
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has stated that access to health services in Afghanistan remains a serious concern, with millions of residents, particularly returnees and vulnerable families, facing shortages of essential services.
On Wednesday, January 1, the organization reported that in 2025 alone, a total of 508,431 health consultations were provided to returnees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable families across various regions of Afghanistan.
According to the report, these services included general health care, mental health counseling, and psychosocial support, aimed at addressing some of the urgent needs of at-risk populations.
The report further noted that 64,947 women benefited from these health services, and more than 91,000 children were screened for malnutrition, indicating the severe vulnerability of children under the current conditions in the country.
IOM added that over 48,000 individuals also received mental health counseling and psychosocial support services, which are increasingly necessary amid rising economic and social pressures.
This report comes as the United Nations previously announced the return of over two million people to Afghanistan in 2025. Experts say that the lack of effective planning and weak service infrastructure under Taliban administration have turned the large-scale return into a factor exacerbating living hardships and adding further strain to the country’s health system.
