The Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health and WHO launched the National Health Policy (NHP) 2025–2030 to provide quality health care access for all Afghans. The policy emphasizes governance, financing, and workforce development, aiming for a resilient health system that addresses disparities and ensures health as a fundamental right for every individual.
In a significant advancement for Afghanistan’s health care system, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the National Health Policy (NHP) 2025–2030, aiming to provide quality health care access for all Afghans, regardless of their location or financial situation. The policy was developed through collaboration with local partners and extensive consultations with stakeholders, focusing on improving governance, financing, workforce development, service delivery, and access to essential medicines, with the objective of creating a resilient health care framework.
Dr. Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized that the NHP serves as a comprehensive guideline for fostering a healthier nation. It aims to strengthen health governance, enhance access to care, and ensure sustainable financing, thereby establishing a system that will benefit future generations.
WHO has implemented extensive training sessions for health professionals, enabling them to effectively translate the policy into practice. In February 2025 alone, over 250 participants benefited from interactive training designed to promote equity, efficiency, and sustainability in health care delivery across Afghanistan. The impact of the NHP extends beyond health facilities, with the potential to save lives, elevate health outcomes, and minimize disparities in access to care.
A participating doctor from Badakhshan Province noted the significance of the policy in addressing long-standing challenges such as medicine shortages, financial barriers, and a lack of trained professionals in remote areas. Aligned with WHO’s Strategic Operational Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the NHP focuses on making health care more accessible, affordable, and sustainable while enhancing emergency preparedness and addressing social determinants of health.
Successful policy implementation will rely on collaboration and continued investment from WHO, national health partners, and frontline health care workers. Dr. Salvador reaffirmed the commitment to health as a fundamental right, ensuring that every Afghan has access to the care they deserve.
