OCHA: Ban on Girls’ Education in Medical Institutes Will Deepen Afghanistan’s Healthcare Crisis

In a recent report, OCHA warned that the continuation of this situation will deepen Afghanistan’s healthcare crisis and endanger the health of mothers and newborns.

The agency added: “This ban not only threatens women’s access to education in medical fields such as midwifery, nursing, dental prosthetics, and laboratory work but also creates serious challenges for women in healthcare delivery and jeopardizes the adaptation and sustainability of health programs in the long term.”

OCHA emphasized that the ban on girls’ education in medical institutes has directly impacted 45,000 female students. According to the report, 4,500 girls recently graduated from these fields, and 9,800 others were on the verge of graduation.

The agency warned that the Taliban’s decision will reduce the number of female healthcare professionals and further restrict women’s access to medical care.

OCHA’s report states that Afghanistan is among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates, and this ban could worsen conditions. The agency estimates that over 620 mothers die per 100,000 live births—nearly triple the global average. Additionally, more than 24 infants per 1,000 live births in Afghanistan lose their lives.

OCHA reaffirmed its commitment to “continue collaborating with partners to improve health conditions and deliver healthcare services to Afghan citizens, particularly mothers and infants.”