As violence spreads, WHO is concerned about health care in Afghanistan

• Afghanistan’s needs are “huge and complex”: WHO.
• At least 18.4 million people need humanitarian assistance.
• Some health workers have fled and the situation is unstable.

Geneva: Officials of the World Health Organization said on Friday that health workers are working to deliver medicines and supplies to Afghanistan, where facilities have been attacked and some workers have fled the escalating violence.

Rick Brennan, WHO’s regional emergency director, said that Taliban fighters have expressed their desire to continue to support health services in the areas they occupy.

But he added that in a country where at least 18.4 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 3.1 million children at risk of severe malnutrition, the situation is volatile and the needs are still “huge and complex”.

Taliban officials said on Friday that they already control 85% of Afghanistan’s territory.

Government officials refuted the Taliban delegation’s visit to Moscow as part of a propaganda campaign that followed the withdrawal of foreign troops, including the United States, after nearly 20 years of fighting.

Brennan said at a UN briefing in Geneva via a video link in Cairo: “We are worried about the inability to provide essential medicines and supplies, and we are worried about attacks on health care.”

He added that there were 30 attacks on facilities this year, including a medical center in Kunar province that was reportedly hit by gunfire two days ago, but did not specify who was responsible.

He added that some health workers in rural clinics have fled, but others have returned to work.

“The Taliban are requesting support for the continuity of health services in the areas they take in informal and indirect ways…so I hope there will be some stability,” Brennan said.

He said some assistance will arrive next week, including 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine and oxygen concentrators. These include Johnson & Johnson injections donated by the United States and AstraZeneca injections donated through COVAX facilities.