UN Warns 700 Healthcare Centers Face Closure Across Afghanistan by End of 2026

OPA WIRE, Nov 7 (OPA) — Roughly 40 percent of Afghanistan's primary health clinics are expected to shut down between 2025 and 2026, cutting off essential services from a nationwide total of 1,900 facilities. Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN deputy special representative for Afghanistan, emphasized that the funding cuts threaten a total collapse of the country's basic health sector. Vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly, bear the brunt of the closures as rural clinics shutter and force patients to travel long distances for treatment.

The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by the return of six to eight million refugees from neighboring countries since August 2021, severely straining already overextended urban hospitals in cities like Kabul. Residents in remote provinces report being unable to reach functional clinics in time, leading to severe medical emergencies and fatalities during transit. A shortage of trained medical professionals, driven by widespread emigration following the Taliban's return to power, has further crippled healthcare delivery across both rural districts and major metropolitan centers.

According to World Health Organization figures, Afghanistan currently averages roughly 10 health workers per 10,000 residents, falling drastically short of the 44 workers required for universal healthcare coverage. Private hospital networks report that experienced specialists in numerous medical fields have declined by 50 to 60 percent over the past five years. The mass exodus of doctors, nurses, and clinical staff has left vast operational gaps that remaining personnel cannot bridge despite surging patient demand.

International aid organizations previously flagged severe funding deficits, with Save the Children noting that 600 health facilities had already suspended operations due to budgetary constraints, impacting approximately four million people. As the UN pushes for sustained international funding to avert total system failure, aid officials warn that deep poverty, failing public infrastructure, and compounding displacement will continue to endanger millions of Afghan lives throughout the remainder of 2026.