Afghanistan’s health system faced imminent collapse when a long-standing support program ended, threatening the well-being of millions. In response, UNICEF and its partners took the unprecedented step of managing two-thirds of the country’s healthcare, ensuring the continuation of critical medical services.
The initiative supports over half the population with essential health services and provides hospital care to three-quarters of Afghans, particularly women and children. It sustains 2,400 health facilities, ranging from fully equipped hospitals in provincial capitals to small district clinics and one-room health posts. In remote districts, resident surgeons perform life-saving procedures in cottage hospitals.
Yet, access remains a significant challenge. Afghanistan’s rugged terrain makes reaching healthcare facilities difficult, especially in isolated regions. To bridge this gap, a network of 32,000 community health workers delivers medical assistance directly to remote communities, often serving as the only link between villagers and clinical care.
Winters in Afghanistan are severe, cutting off villages with heavy snow. Transporting medical supplies and reaching healthcare facilities becomes perilous. In such conditions, community health workers play a critical role. A recent case in Nuristan saw a two-year-old girl, Roqia, diagnosed with polio. Her grandfather, following the advice of a community health worker, carried her down a treacherous mountain path to receive urgent care, ultimately saving her life.
Beyond geography, awareness is another barrier. Many isolated communities hesitate to seek help from unfamiliar medical staff. Community health workers address this by promoting vaccination, recognizing early signs of malnutrition, and encouraging institutional births. Their efforts have led to a 20% increase in hospital deliveries since 2019.
The health initiative employs 28,000 professionals—40% of whom are women—who conduct 20mn health and nutrition consultations annually. Since its inception, six million women have received maternal healthcare, and 2.2mn babies have been born in UNICEF-supported facilities.
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