Afghan Healthcare Crisis

In Afghanistan, many medical facilities have closed due to cuts in US aid. This has created a healthcare crisis, particularly for pregnant women and newborns.

One tragic example is the story of Abdul and Shahnaz. When Shahnaz went into labor, they found their local clinic closed. Unable to reach another facility in time, Shahnaz delivered their baby in a car. Tragically, both mother and child died shortly after.

The closure of rural clinics has led to overcrowding in larger hospitals. In Faizabad's main hospital, three women now share a single bed. The hospital's budget has been drastically reduced, while patient numbers have more than doubled. This situation has resulted in a significant increase in maternal and newborn deaths.