Out of pocket payments for health poses a significant health financing challenge in Afghanistan as they put households at risk of incurring catastrophic health expenditure and potential impoverishment. This study measures and explains the drivers and impacts of this financial health hardship as an economic and public health priority, particularly in the time of COVID-19.
The authors use the Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey data for 2016–2017 to understand the high rate of poverty and catastrophic health expenditure in Afghanistan that necessitates the need to strengthen the health financing system.