Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan is dire, with children under five suffering the most. Health experts, international aid organisations, and the government are carving ways to work together to prevent further loss of life.

UNAMA’s quarterly report highlighted sections of the ministry’s law, claiming it imposes new restrictions on women. It stated that the law formalises previous decrees and broadens existing limitations while introducing additional ones.

Funding for mine action has halved over the past two years, leading to a significant reduction in the workforce. Today, only 3,000 of the 15,000 Afghan de-miners employed before the Taliban takeover are still working, with more than 40 percent losing their jobs.

Pakistan can see the writing on the wall and knows that it must refrain from using the heyday of the alliance during the early years of the Cold War as the baseline because that world no longer exists. More importantly, Pakistan is no longer the same.

Sher Abbas Stanikzai, a senior political deputy at Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, stated that there was no valid reason to continue restricting education for women and girls, emphasising that the ongoing ban was not rooted in Islamic law.

Globally, organ transplantation is recognized as a critical medical treatment. Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have robust organ donation systems guided by Islamic principles.

For Afghanistan, India’s support represents a vital lifeline as it navigates complex domestic and regional challenges. The agreement to promote trade, enhance humanitarian aid, and address shared security concerns lays the groundwork for a more cooperative relationship.

Despite the challenges, some organisations continue to operate in Afghanistan, striving to fill the gaps left by fleeing professionals. However, without significant international support and a reversal of restrictive Taliban policies, the health-care system’s recovery seems unlikely.