Afghanistan is one of the most unstable and conflict-affected countries in the world. Decades of ongoing discord have led to a decimated social infrastructure, involving the countries health care system(1). With no stable healthcare system, the almost globally eradicated Polio virus is still plaguing this country.
Lapar, 2018
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VIDEO: The ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and increased targeting of medical facilities and personnel by parties to the conflict has eroded the country’s already fragile health care system. An increase in conflict and targeted attacks on health care have led to more children directly injured and suffering from acute malnutrition, diarrheal disease, and vaccine-preventable diseases(2). |
The nature of the conflict in Afghanistan has meant that health care workers and health care facilities have become integrated into the conflict creating insecurities that are preventing the recruitment of healthcare workers and volunteers limiting access to services(3). With continued conflict many healthcare facilities are being destroyed limiting the care available for the afghan people.
In many areas of Afghanistan, its culturally unacceptable for women to see male healthcare providers, and many women can’t visit the doctor without a male accompanying them or their permission(5). Women’s lack of access and lack of power to make health-related decisions is not only detrimental to their health, but it creates significant obstacles for them to get their children vaccinated. Immunization efforts have volunteers and healthcare providers going door to door to help reach more families.
The ongoing conflict has led to detrimental consequences for Afghanistan's citizens and their overall health care status as a nation. A substantial lack of education in the country regarding basic hygiene and health practices has contributed to the spread of disease and has also led to inaccurate information and beliefs involving the polio vaccine resulting in many families refusing the life-saving inoculation.
Afghanistan has an estimated population of 31.6 million, of which nearly 77% lives in rural settings (Central Statistic Organization 2018 population estimates) Less than 60 percent of the country is under government control. Outside of urban centers, people live in remote communities where infrastructure is minimal and access is thwarted by a harsh landscape and armed conflict(4).
In many areas of Afghanistan, its culturally unacceptable for women to see male healthcare providers, and many women can’t visit the doctor without a male accompanying them or their permission(5). Women’s lack of access and lack of power to make health-related decisions is not only detrimental to their health, but it creates significant obstacles for them to get their children vaccinated. Immunization efforts have volunteers and healthcare providers going door to door to help reach more families.
The ongoing conflict has led to detrimental consequences for Afghanistan's citizens and their overall health care status as a nation. A substantial lack of education in the country regarding basic hygiene and health practices has contributed to the spread of disease and has also led to inaccurate information and beliefs involving the polio vaccine resulting in many families refusing the life-saving inoculation.
Afghanistan has an estimated population of 31.6 million, of which nearly 77% lives in rural settings (Central Statistic Organization 2018 population estimates) Less than 60 percent of the country is under government control. Outside of urban centers, people live in remote communities where infrastructure is minimal and access is thwarted by a harsh landscape and armed conflict(4).
References:
1. Frost, A., Wilkinson, M., Boyle, P., Patel, P., & Sullivan, R. (2016, November 21). An assessment of the barriers to accessing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan: Was the BPHS a success? Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/an-assessment-of-the-barriers-to-accessing-the-basic-package-of-health-services-bphs-in-afghanistan(322c462f-9df6-418e-9ce0-40ff5dccbab3).html
2. Lapar, A. (2018, March 26). "Every Clinic is Still on the Frontline" Attacks on Health Care in Afghanistan in 2017. Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://watchlist.org/publications/every-clinic-still-frontline-attacks-health-care-afghanistan-2017/
3.Frost, A., Wilkinson, M., Boyle, P., Patel, P., & Sullivan, R. (2016, November 21). An assessment of the barriers to accessing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan: Was the BPHS a success? Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/an-assessment-of-the-barriers-to-accessing-the-basic-package-of-health-services-bphs-in-afghanistan(322c462f-9df6-418e-9ce0-40ff5dccbab3).html
4. Hamer, A. (2019, April 16). Afghan healthcare under siege as escalating conflict cuts off access. Retrieved October 11, 2019, from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/feature/2017/10/26/afghan-healthcare-under-siege-escalating-conflict-cuts-access
5. Carthaigh, N. N., Gryse, B. D., Esmati, A. S., Nizar, B., Overloop, C. V., Fricke, R., . . . Philips, M. (2014). Patients struggle to access effective health care due to ongoing violence, distance, costs and health service performance in Afghanistan. International Health, 7(3), 169-175. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihu086
1. Frost, A., Wilkinson, M., Boyle, P., Patel, P., & Sullivan, R. (2016, November 21). An assessment of the barriers to accessing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan: Was the BPHS a success? Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/an-assessment-of-the-barriers-to-accessing-the-basic-package-of-health-services-bphs-in-afghanistan(322c462f-9df6-418e-9ce0-40ff5dccbab3).html
2. Lapar, A. (2018, March 26). "Every Clinic is Still on the Frontline" Attacks on Health Care in Afghanistan in 2017. Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://watchlist.org/publications/every-clinic-still-frontline-attacks-health-care-afghanistan-2017/
3.Frost, A., Wilkinson, M., Boyle, P., Patel, P., & Sullivan, R. (2016, November 21). An assessment of the barriers to accessing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan: Was the BPHS a success? Retrieved October 03, 2019, from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/an-assessment-of-the-barriers-to-accessing-the-basic-package-of-health-services-bphs-in-afghanistan(322c462f-9df6-418e-9ce0-40ff5dccbab3).html
4. Hamer, A. (2019, April 16). Afghan healthcare under siege as escalating conflict cuts off access. Retrieved October 11, 2019, from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/feature/2017/10/26/afghan-healthcare-under-siege-escalating-conflict-cuts-access
5. Carthaigh, N. N., Gryse, B. D., Esmati, A. S., Nizar, B., Overloop, C. V., Fricke, R., . . . Philips, M. (2014). Patients struggle to access effective health care due to ongoing violence, distance, costs and health service performance in Afghanistan. International Health, 7(3), 169-175. doi:10.1093/inthealth/ihu086