Medical Needs In Afghanistan

With the plummet of the economy in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over, most of the funding for basic services like medical care dried up. This has left the people of Afghanistan in need of medical attention that is just not available, in the middle of a pandemic. The entire medical system is under so much strain it is beginning to collapse in Afghanistan if nothing is done soon.

What types of medical needs affect Afghanistan?

The situation is dire in Afghanistan, a country that is weakening in every sense of the word. It is currently estimated that up to 90% of the medical facilities in Afghanistan will close within the next few months. This is due to the crushing economy and the pressure put on the system from disease and malnutrition caused by the food crisis.

The biggest challenge is from the hunger crisis leading to children with malnutrition issues. There is a surge in diarrhea, measles, dengue fever, malaria, and Covid-19 cases. This has led to double and even triple hospital occupancy in many areas. This is particularly the pediatric intensive care units that are caring for malnourished infants and children.

Without funding, hospitals are unable to provide appropriate patient meals. They can only provide about 70% of the needed medications. This is leaving impoverished families to find a way to pay for outside food and medication. With the changes in women’s rules under the Taliban, female medical workers are not able to work at all. This brings a huge strain to medical workforce and the wait times for those who need care.

Hospitals need funding to pay for health care workers. Many are forced to look for other ways to survive after not receiving pay for months on end. Many are going as far as to live inside the hospital when they could not pay rent on their homes. They know that it is the right thing to do. They give their time, effort and expertise in a very selfless way. But this isn’t sustainable long term.

The effort to help meet Afghanistan’s medical needs

While war casualties are down and not part of the pressure put on health care systems, the dangers of the region remain, making it difficult to get volunteers willing to come to the aid of overrun hospitals. Without the aid of organizations like Doctors Without Borders taking the risks, there is little hope of keeping the facilities staffed as doctors with families must look for other economic opportunities to keep their families fed.

Funding and supplies is needed for basic medical supplies. Examples of things needed are medications, oxygen for the sick. But the most pressing one is the life-saving formula for the massive influx of malnourished infants and children. The International Committee of the Red Cross has made an effort to infuse funds into several failing hospitals. The United Nations is asking for 5 billion dollars in funding to help the situation.

Project Exodus Relief is providing for medical needs

For the last 6 months or so, we have been keeping many American citizens and Afghan allies safe. There, we provide them with food, shelter, toiletries and medicines if they need them. We have found doctors to treat sick adults and children while in hiding. We even helped a woman get a c-section when delivering her baby!

As you know, all of these things require funding. Even though our entire team is doing it for free, these items and medical care requires payment. Most medical needs are unforeseen, but some have to get their prescriptions filled for chronic illnesses. Having funds set aside for things like these that arise is very helpful because it is directly connected to saving lives.

Help Our Efforts In Afghanistan

Would you like to help save people from the Taliban’s reign of terror? Donate to support our rescue operations and help save an Afghan life. Your money will support immediate evacuation and keeping refugees fed, watered, and in warm clothes while they await a bird to fly them to safety.”