Health
Chronic illness and mental health challenges threaten millions across Afghanistan
In response, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health approved a national health policy in March 2025 prioritizing NCD prevention, cancer care, and mental health.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions are emerging as a hidden epidemic in Afghanistan, putting severe pressure on the country’s fragile health system.
According to a new report issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung conditions already account for 43% of deaths nationwide – a figure expected to rise above 60% by 2030, with women disproportionately affected.
Cardiovascular disease alone claims more than 40,000 lives each year, ranking Afghanistan among countries with the highest age-adjusted death rates globally.
Cancer, particularly breast and cervical cancer, also heavily impacts Afghan women, with many patients seeking care only at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.
Mental health meanwhile is increasingly recognized as a critical yet under-addressed concern, WHO reported.
Years of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters – including recent earthquakes – have left deep psychological scars, especially among families returning from Pakistan and Iran.
One in five Afghans is estimated to live with a mental health condition, with over half of returnee families affected by anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress last year.
Thousands of families face long waiting lists for treatment, particularly in rural areas.
Hospitals and primary health care facilities frequently lack dedicated mental health services, leaving vulnerable populations without care.
For families like that of Rahimi in eastern Afghanistan, the impact is deeply personal. A recent earthquake destroyed his home, disrupted his wife’s diabetes treatment, and left his teenage daughters struggling with anxiety.
“We survive the disasters, but the illness and worry never leave,” he said.
In response, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health approved a national health policy in March 2025 prioritizing NCD prevention, cancer care, and mental health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with authorities to expand access to care, strengthen community awareness, and provide targeted support for women and children.
“Millions across Afghanistan live with chronic illness and mental health challenges, placing enormous pressure on an already fragile system,” said Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO Representative to Afghanistan.
“Beyond physical disease, trauma and psychological suffering continue to affect families and communities. Expanding access to care for both NCDs and mental health is a shared responsibility for WHO, health authorities, and donors.”
Noor Jalal Jalali, Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan, held a meeting in Kabul with representatives of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and other international organizations.
According to the ministry’s statement, representatives of these international organizations discussed the delivery of health and development services, improving the management of aid and resources in the health sector, integrating health facilities and aligning them with the new policy, providing health services in accordance with the Ministry of Public Health’s policy, strengthening the immunization and vaccination sector, delivering services based on priorities, and ensuring sustained coordination.
During the meeting, Jalali stressed the need for transparency and attention to the ministry’s priorities in order to enhance the effectiveness and impact of health services. He added that the delivery of health services must be carried out in line with the ministry’s policy and through better management of existing international assistance.
Referring to vaccination campaigns, he stated that the recent measles and polio vaccination campaign had been implemented very successfully, and emphasized that necessary preparations should be made for upcoming campaigns.
He also provided information regarding the review of the BPHS and EPHS health packages and the establishment of a standardized system through technical committees.
In this meeting, Edwin Ceniza, the WHO Representative for Afghanistan, reaffirmed the organization’s continued cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health and expressed appreciation to the ministry’s leadership for their tireless efforts to improve the health system.
Representatives of these organizations pledged to maintain effective and sustained coordination and to provide their services within the country in accordance with the policies and principles of the Ministry of Public Health.
Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister for Health Services at the Ministry of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has departed for Turkey on an official visit accompanied by a high-ranking delegation.
According to a statement released by the Health Ministry on Wednesday, the trip aims to acquire new health-sector expertise, assess Turkish medical and scientific institutions, meet with Turkish health and government officials, and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet representatives from both public and private health sectors to support improvements in Afghanistan’s healthcare system and enhance coordination between the two countries, the statement added.
Health
Polio vaccination drive launches across 17 Afghan provinces
Officials say routine vaccination remains the most effective tool for eliminating polio and have urged families to fully cooperate with health teams during the campaign.
The Ministry of Public Health has announced the launch of a major anti-polio vaccination campaign, set to begin on Monday across 17 provinces of Afghanistan.
According to Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the ministry, the nationwide initiative will target 7.4 million children under the age of five, delivering vaccines door-to-door to prevent the spread of the poliovirus and safeguard children’s health.
Officials say routine vaccination remains the most effective tool for eliminating polio and have urged families to fully cooperate with health teams during the campaign.
This effort forms part of the government’s ongoing strategy to protect Afghanistan’s next generation from preventable diseases and strengthen public health across the country.
This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) recently again classified the global spread of poliovirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the disease remains endemic in only two countries — Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The decision followed the 43rd meeting of the Polio Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR), which convened on 1 October 2025.
According to the Committee, Afghanistan reported four new wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases so far this year, compared to 24 in Pakistan.
The Afghan cases were detected in the country’s southern and eastern regions, where transmission remains intense despite ongoing vaccination efforts.
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