Tuberculosis Remains a Major Health Challenge in Afghanistan

On World Tuberculosis Day, March 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the ongoing public health crisis of tuberculosis (TB) in Afghanistan, reporting over 50,000 cases in 2024, Amu TV reported. The WHO’s recent report indicates that Afghanistan’s healthcare system struggles significantly with TB detection and treatment, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Despite nearly 900 centers offering free diagnosis and treatment, many patients face barriers to access. WHO’s representative in Afghanistan, Edwin Salvador, emphasized the need for collective action to address this issue, stating, “Let us invest in meaningful action for a healthier future.”

Healthcare professionals attribute the rise in TB cases to a lack of local clinics and pervasive poverty, which can lead to drug-resistant strains of the disease. Abdullah Ahmadi, former head of Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital, noted that patients living far from treatment centers often cannot afford the necessary care, exacerbating the problem.

In early 2024, the United Nations Development Program screened over 70,000 individuals at the Torkham border, identifying 242 positive TB cases. Experts warn that Afghanistan’s vulnerability to infectious diseases like TB is compounded by poverty, inadequate public health infrastructure, and limited disease awareness.