Afghanistan is witnessing a sharp rise in skin diseases and other health ailments following the Taliban’s assumption of power in 2021. The Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Regional Hospital has reported a staggering 50% increase in dermatological cases compared to the previous year.
Dr. Ali Asghar Malek, head of the hospital’s dermatology department, revealed, “In 2023, I treated 25,000 skin patients. However, in just the first four months of 2024, 16,000 skin patients visited our hospital, with approximately 1,000 requiring surgical intervention.”
Health experts attribute this surge to inadequate hygiene practices, insufficient health policies under Taliban governance, and widespread self-medication practices. The country is also grappling with various epidemic diseases, compounding the challenges faced by its populace.
According to the International Federation of Red Cross, Afghanistan is experiencing a measles outbreak affecting thousands, leading to dozens of fatalities. While much of the world has successfully controlled measles, Afghanistan’s health infrastructure constraints have resulted in a severe rise in cases.
This health crisis is part of a broader humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, marked by widespread hunger, poverty, and a spectrum of mental and physical illnesses. The Taliban administration’s failure to adequately deliver basic health services has further exacerbated the deteriorating situation.
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