MONITORING (SW) – The world must not forget the people of Afghanistan, Dr Hanan Balkhy, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean said as she concluded a 3-day visit to Afghanistan where she met with the country’s de-facto authorities, health officials and humanitarian partners to discuss critical health priorities.
During her visit, Dr Balkhy travelled to Mazar-e-Sharif in the Afghanistan’s northern region, where she inaugurated the Balkh 50-bed Women and Children Drug Addiction Treatment Center, one of 12 drug addiction treatment centers receiving vital support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.
She also visited the 50-bed Infectious Diseases Hospital, interacting with patients and health workers, where she stressed the critical importance of enhancing medical staff capacities and improving accessibility to health care services for vulnerable populations throughout Afghanistan.
Substance use is a growing public health challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and in Afghanistan particularly, WHO stated in a report on Tuesday, November 26.
With more than 4 million people in the country struggling with substance use disorders, there is an urgent need for focused actions and global support. To address this urgent issue, WHO, together with its partners, aims to reduce morbidity, mortality and the social costs associated with substance use disorders through contextualized, evidence-based public health interventions, the report added.
“The issue of addiction in Afghanistan is a very large one. In line with my regional priorities, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure we can provide the help and support needed to make sure that these patients have a safe track back into normal life and are fully integrated within their communities,” said Dr Balkhy.
“Together with the country’s health authorities and our partners, we can make this happen and ensure a better and healthier life for the people of Afghanistan.”
Recognizing the grave concerns about the impact of restrictions on access to formal education for female health workers on the ability to maintain health service delivery, Dr Balkhy reiterated her active determination to advocate for female education and rights as part of overall efforts to advance Afghanistan’s health agenda.
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is one of the world’s most severe, with some of the highest levels of food insecurity globally. Drought, displacement and poverty persist, while natural disasters exacerbate the situation.
“Humanitarian needs have surged, with the number of people in need rising from 18.4 million in mid-2021 to approximately 23.7 million in 2024. Of these, about 17.9 million urgently require health assistance,” WHO mentioned in its report.
In her meeting with UN agency representatives in Afghanistan, Dr Balkhy emphasized “health in all agencies” and the strategic integration of health into development efforts, highlighting the need for unified action to tackle Afghanistan’s critical health challenges. “This engagement is part of WHO’s commitment to fostering partnerships that drive impactful, sustainable health outcomes for communities across the country.”
“We must not forget the people of Afghanistan.”
