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WHO chief warns that Afghanistan’s health system could collapse
World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the Afghanistan health sector is on the verge of collapse but that the organization would help as much as it could.
Ghebreyesus, who visited hospitals in Kabul this week, said it was heartbreaking to hear from overworked nurses that they have not been paid in months.
He also said that many Afghans do not have access to health services and many have died in recent months due to a shortage of medicine.
“Health is a service that needs to be continued at all times. If Afghanistan’s health system collapses, the tragedy will be worse and many more lives will be lost. We can prevent this from happening, together,” he tweeted.
“WHO has been supporting the Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan National Hospital through our major trauma programme, including the provision of supplies, equipment and training. We reassured the medical team that we will #StayAndDeliver further help to the best of our abilities,” he added.
He said that over 2,300 health facilities, funded through the WHO program, are at risk of closing or cutting back on services.
“My heart broke hearing that nurses, who have been working day and night, haven’t received salaries in three months. They are doing the most invaluable job in the most difficult circumstances – saving lives! We must support them for their needs,” said Ghebreyesus.
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and deputy minister of culture and information, said that Ghebreyesus met with Afghan Premier Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and pledged to continue assisting Afghanistan.
“It was a good meeting. A pledge was made that more aid in the form of medicine will be sent to Afghanistan,” said Mujahid.
This comes amid growing concerns among the foreign community on the economic situation in Afghanistan.
“Well our first responsibility as UN present in Afghanistan was of course to engage with the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) and to put up front a strong commitment for humanitarian aid,” said António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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