KABUL (SW) – Officials from the de-facto Ministry of Public Health has stated that approximately 1.5 million people in Afghanistan are currently affected by various eye diseases.
Abdul Wali Haqqani, the Deputy Minister for Health Services, revealed that each year, around 25,000 individuals in the country lose vision in one eye due to eye-related illnesses or injuries.
“Eye diseases are a serious health concern in Afghanistan. According to World Health Organization assessments, the number of individuals visually impaired in the country ranges from 1.5 to 2 million, with nearly 1.5 million suffering from visual impairment,” he stated.
Several doctors have pointed out that the lack of medical facilities and trained personnel in the field of ophthalmology poses significant challenges to the healthcare sector in Afghanistan.
Agha Mohammad Abed Totakhel, an ophthalmologist and the national coordinator for eye care at the Ministry of Public Health, emphasized that the shortage of eye specialists is hindering the delivery of necessary treatment.
“According to WHO standards, there should be 76 ophthalmologists for every one million people, yet in Afghanistan, there are only four specialists available for each million,” Totakhel said.
Zaher Gul Zadran, head of the Noor National and Specialized Hospital in Kabul, stressed the need for capacity-building programs for eye doctors. He said, “Training programs must be organized, and specialists should be sent abroad to familiarize themselves with new technologies. Accurate diagnosis leads to better treatment outcomes.”
Doctors identified involuntary movements, red, brown, or gray spots, excessive tearing, and itchy eyes as primary symptoms of eye diseases.
Naeemullah Safi, a representative from the World Health Organization (WHO) affirmed that the organization is committed to providing the necessary resources for eye treatment in Afghanistan.
“If eye diseases are diagnosed in a timely manner, their progression can be prevented. We support eye care programs in Afghanistan and provide essential technical resources,” he said.
October 14, has been designated by the World Health Organization as World Sight Day to raise awareness about the importance of vision.
