By Jaya Ramachandran
GENEVA (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) a specialized agency of the United Nations, has warned that fundamental and life-saving primary health care services in Afghanistan are under severe threat. It is, therefore, making an urgent appeal to international donors to rapidly finance the Sehatmandi programme, as they have done for almost two decades.
The programme is the backbone of Afghanistan’s health system, providing care for millions of people through 2 331 health facilities.
The primary care facility in the village is vital, serving 58 000 people including 13 340 women of childbearing age and 11 600 children under-five. Importantly, it provides emergency obstetric care, including Caesarean section services. Without this, women would have to travel far, and put themselves and their babies at risk.
Due to a lack of funding, staff in the health facility have not received their salaries for months, the clinic is faced with shortages of medicine and supplies, and patients are not able to access the essential health services they need. If this facility closes down, increasing ill-health and mortality is inevitable. The facility’s struggles are not unique.
The situation is replicated across the country because the Sehatmandi programme is no longer able to receive appropriate financial support due to the change in Afghanistan’s government. In August 2021, when the Taliban took over Kabul, donors found it impossible to provide financing through the new regime, and major funding was withdrawn. Previously funded by the World Bank, the European Commission, and USAID, there are now serious challenges to continuing these vital primary health care services.
The population is also suffering due to a recent drought that has affected crops and livestock. This, combined with rising food prices and the collapse of public services, led to acute food insecurity for nearly 19 million people in September and October 2021.
For two decades in Afghanistan, life expectancy has risen, and maternal, newborn and child deaths have dramatically decreased. Today, the population’s health is seriously under threat. All the progress in health outcomes may be lost. WHO is urgently calling for international donors to step up and find an alternative funding mechanism for this crucial primary health care initiative.
“The recent funding pause by key donors to the country’s biggest health programme (Sehatmandi) will cause most of the public health facilities to close. As a result, more mothers, infants and children will die of reduced access to essential health care. WHO is determined to work with partners in identifying a sustainable solution with the support of donors to maintain and scale up the lifesaving interventions when needed in the country,” said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan
While it may be challenging to find alternative and innovative ways to support the Sehatmandi programme, it is essential for the health and lives of the population of one of the poorest countries in the world and for health security globally.
The Sehatmandi programme originated as the System Enhancement for Health Action in Transition (SEHAT) Project from 2013-2018 and transformed into the Sehatmandi programme in 2018. Equity principles have been central in this approach, allowing harmonization across the entire country with the aim of increasing health service coverage, especially for rural populations.
Afghanistan is among the 115 countries and areas to which the Universal Health Coverage Partnership helps deliver WHO support and technical expertise in advancing UHC with a PHC approach. The Partnership is one of WHO’s largest initiatives on international cooperation for UHC and PHC. It is funded by the European Union (EU), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Irish Aid, the Government of Japan, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the United Kingdom – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Belgium, Canada and Germany. [IDN-InDepthNews – 24 January 2022]
Photo: Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. ©WHO