Afghanistan is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. By 2021, Afghanistan’s multiethnic population reached 40.2 million. The health sector faces many challenges in delivering health care services and improving the lives of Afghan people. A sharp decline in public spending and lower household incomes hampered health sector activities. The health system is mainly funded by out-of-pocket payments (75% of current health expenditure) and funded and delivered by external sources, with minimal spending from the government. The health system in Afghanistan, which is in a fragile, vulnerable and conflict affected situation, has been under stress in recent years.
The scope of health services
The Basic Package of Health Services and the Essential Package of Hospital Services defines the country’s health services and is largely funded by external partners. Universal health coverage remains a policy focus despite some difficulties sustaining gains made in the past two decades. A shortage of health care providers who are women affected the provision of life-saving services. This dearth led to low access to health services, including primary health care for women and children.
Patients are at risk
People seeking medical care are forced to take extreme risks and face unaffordable fees, leading to patients arriving in critical condition. Insecurity and health care costs often put patients at risk. Although continuous support from the international community is crucial for maintaining the provision of health services and minimizing the adverse impacts of the severe humanitarian crisis, political commitment to increase domestic resources to health is needed. A cofinancing initiative is a short-term solution. In the long term, increased allocation of domestic resources to health services and strengthening social health protection is key to ensuring the sustainability of the country’s health system.
