[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. By 2021, the country\u2019s multiethnic <\/span>population reached\u00a040.2 million<\/span><\/a>. The health sector faces many challenges in delivering health care services and improving the lives of Afghan people.\u00a0A sharp decline in public spending and lower household incomes hampered health sector activities according to a <\/span>2022 World Bank press release<\/span><\/a>. Data reported in the <\/span>Global Health Expenditure Database<\/span><\/a> show that the health system is mainly funded by out-of-pocket payments, which in 2021 came to 77% of current health expenditure and financed and delivered by external sources, with minimal spending from the government.\u00a0An <\/span>article in BMC published in June 2022<\/span><\/a> explains that the health system in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, which is in a fragile, vulnerable and conflict affected situation, has been under stress in recent years.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Range of health services; too few providers who are women ” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”24px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”15px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Basic Package of Health Services and the Essential Package of Hospital Services defines the country\u2019s health services and is largely funded by external partners, according to an <\/span>article in The Lancet in September 2022<\/span><\/a>. Universal health coverage remains a policy focus despite some difficulties sustaining gains made in the past two decades, and, the article states, \u201c<\/span>[a]ccess to primary health care, particularly for women and children, remains a major concern in Afghanistan\u201d.<\/span> The Lancet article also <\/span>cites an August 2022 article<\/span><\/a> published by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, that states that before the Taliban, a shortage of women health care providers affected the \u201cprovision of life-saving services, <\/span>provision of life-saving services, particularly for women and children\u201d<\/span>. This dearth led to low access to health services, including primary health care for women and children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Patients at risk” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”24px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n