The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning: by June 2025, approximately 80% of healthcare services in Afghanistan could face shutdown due to a significant funding shortfall. This crisis is unfolding amid massive cuts in U.S. aid, attributed to a shift in “development aid priorities,” placing Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system at the brink of collapse.

In a statement released by WHO, the agency emphasized the urgent need for immediate intervention. Without financial support, over 220 additional healthcare facilities across Afghanistan may close by June 2025, leaving 1.8 million more Afghans without access to primary healthcare services. Already, 167 healthcare operations have ceased functioning due to financial constraints, exacerbating the country’s healthcare crisis.

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Edwin Ceniza Salvador, WHO’s Afghanistan chief, expressed grave concern, stating, “The consequences will be measured in lives lost. This is not just about funding. It is a humanitarian emergency that threatens to undo years of progress in strengthening Afghanistan’s health system.”

The Impact of U.S. Aid Cuts

The current healthcare crisis in Afghanistan is a direct consequence of significant reductions in U.S. aid. This funding cut follows a broader shift in U.S. policy, with development aid priorities being reshaped. A critical factor was the decision by former President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from WHO, terminating financial contributions vital for global health initiatives.

Afghanistan’s healthcare system heavily relies on international aid, including U.S. contributions, which previously supported various critical programs such as the global measles surveillance network. This network, entirely funded by Washington, played a crucial role in tracking and controlling measles outbreaks. The loss of this support has left Afghanistan vulnerable to infectious diseases, further compounding its healthcare crisis.

In the first two months of 2025 alone, Afghanistan recorded over 16,000 suspected measles cases and 111 deaths, according to WHO. The Taliban authorities, who returned to power in 2021 after ousting the U.S.-backed government, dispute these figures. However, the healthcare reality on the ground tells a different story.

The Taliban Government and Healthcare

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan’s healthcare system has faced numerous challenges. The Taliban regime is not recognized internationally, resulting in the country’s exclusion from many global aid mechanisms. The healthcare system’s survival largely depends on the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, and international donors.

The Taliban’s lack of international recognition has made it difficult for Afghanistan to access much-needed financial support. Many international donors remain cautious, balancing humanitarian needs against geopolitical complexities. Despite these challenges, organizations like WHO, Save the Children, and other NGOs continue to operate in Afghanistan, striving to provide healthcare services to millions.

Multiple Health Emergencies

Afghanistan is grappling with multiple health emergencies simultaneously. Aside from measles outbreaks, the country faces increasing cases of malaria and dengue, diseases exacerbated by poor sanitation, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and climate challenges.

Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, making the country one of only two globally still battling the disease. Ongoing vaccination efforts aim to eradicate polio, but the funding crisis threatens these critical immunization programs.

Save the Children, a key player in Afghanistan’s healthcare landscape, recently reported the closure of 18 health facilities due to financial constraints. The organization operates 32 clinics, which served over 134,000 children in January 2025 alone. Without immediate financial support, only 14 clinics will remain operational for another month, leaving millions of children without access to essential healthcare services.

Maternal Mortality Crisis

Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios globally, with 638 deaths per 100,000 live births. The current healthcare crisis, exacerbated by U.S. aid cuts, is expected to worsen this situation. The United Nations forecasts an additional 1,200 maternal deaths in Afghanistan between now and 2028 if the funding crisis is not addressed.

High maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan result from limited access to skilled birth attendants, inadequate healthcare facilities, and a lack of emergency obstetric care services. Many women in rural areas are unable to access healthcare due to the closure of nearby clinics and hospitals, which are integral to maternal and child health services.

Malnutrition is a pervasive issue in Afghanistan, significantly affecting children under five. According to the UN, 10% of children under five are malnourished, and 45% are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. The economic downturn, humanitarian crisis, and climate challenges have further worsened the situation.

Malnutrition increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, complicates recovery from illnesses, and contributes to higher mortality rates among children and mothers. With healthcare services on the verge of collapse, the ability to address malnutrition and related health complications is severely compromised.

The Humanitarian Emergency

WHO describes the situation in Afghanistan as a humanitarian emergency. The closure of healthcare facilities will not only lead to increased mortality rates but also reverse years of progress made in the healthcare sector. Afghanistan had made significant strides in improving healthcare access, reducing maternal and child mortality, and controlling infectious diseases over the past two decades.

The current crisis threatens to erase these hard-won gains. Healthcare workers, already operating under challenging conditions, are at risk of losing their jobs, further straining the system. Patients will face longer travel distances to access care, increased waiting times, and diminished quality of care.

WHO’s urgent call for intervention underscores the need for immediate international action to prevent further healthcare deterioration. Without immediate financial support, the consequences will be devastating for millions of Afghans who rely on these services for their health and survival.

International Response and the Need for Immediate Action

WHO and other humanitarian agencies have appealed to the international community to address Afghanistan’s healthcare funding crisis urgently. International donors, including the European Union, the United Nations, and individual nations, are being urged to prioritize Afghanistan’s healthcare needs despite geopolitical complexities.

Experts emphasize that healthcare is a fundamental human right, and Afghanistan’s health crisis is a humanitarian issue that transcends political disagreements. Immediate financial support is crucial to prevent the closure of healthcare facilities, sustain immunization programs, manage infectious disease outbreaks, and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.

The international community must also work towards ensuring that Afghanistan’s healthcare system is resilient and less dependent on external funding in the long term. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and improving supply chains for medical supplies are critical to building a sustainable healthcare system in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. With 80% of healthcare services at risk of shutdown by June 2025, millions of Afghans face the prospect of losing access to essential healthcare services. The crisis, triggered by U.S. aid cuts and shifting development aid priorities, threatens to reverse decades of progress in Afghanistan’s healthcare sector.

Immediate international intervention is essential to prevent a full-blown humanitarian disaster. Sustained financial support, commitment from global donors, and targeted investments in healthcare infrastructure are crucial to safeguarding Afghanistan’s healthcare system and ensuring the survival and well-being of its people.

As the world watches, the international community must act swiftly to support Afghanistan, ensuring that the healthcare crisis does not escalate into an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.