By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL (TURKISH JOURNAL) – Millions of Afghans are at risk as hundreds of medical facilities in Afghanistan are on the brink of imminent closure because Western donors who finance them are barred from dealing with the Taliban. It’s estimated that the majority of 2,300 health facilities across the country might soon close even this week, according to the UN health agency’s Regional Emergency Director Rick Brennan. In a Reuters interview, Brennan said many Western donors have regulations that prevent them from doing business with the Taliban. He added: “We are going to have a pause in operations in a large proportion of those (health facilities).”
Some estimates indicate up to 90% of health facilities will shut down most likely later this week. Brennan said “that will be associated with increased illness and death.” The World Health Organization (WHO) was trying to fill the gap by providing supplies, equipment and financing to 500 of those health centers. The WHO is also working closely with Qatar to bring in medical supplies by plane. Brennan commented: “We are hoping to have up to two or three plane-loads of supplies airlifted from the government of Qatar probably into Kabul in the next week or so.” Brennan said that future deliveries include COVID tests and supplies to treat chronic diseases. Medical supplies continue to arrive through the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and the WHO is also researching overland alternatives using trucks from Pakistan, he added.
