Following significant reductions in international, particularly US, financial assistance to Afghanistan, the country’s fragile healthcare infrastructure has endured immense setbacks. A direct and severe consequence of these aid cuts has been the forced closure of over 400 health clinics across various regions. This widespread disruption has had a particularly devastating impact on the health and well-being of Afghan women, especially those who are pregnant. Access to essential medical services, including prenatal care, safe delivery options, and vital postnatal support, has dramatically diminished. Expectant mothers now face significantly increased risks of complications during childbirth, often forced to embark on perilous journeys to find the few remaining, often under-equipped, medical facilities. The pervasive lack of medical personnel, essential medicines, and proper healthcare facilities directly contributes to alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality. This deepening crisis exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, leaving countless women without the fundamental healthcare access necessary for safe pregnancies and deliveries. The long-term implications for public health in Afghanistan, particularly for its female population, are profound and continue to unfold as these critical services remain unavailable.
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