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Conflict and COVID-19: a double burden for Afghanistan's healthcare system

Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno1,2, Mohammad Yasir Essar3, Attaullah Ahmadi3

  • 1Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Conflict and Health
|September 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely strained Afghanistan's healthcare system, exacerbating existing challenges like inadequate facilities and conflict. Increased community transmission and attacks on healthcare workers necessitate urgent international support and a UN-backed ceasefire.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Global Health Security
  • Healthcare Systems Analysis

Background:

  • Afghanistan's healthcare system faced pre-existing challenges including inadequate facilities, insecurity, and conflict.
  • The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly worsened the strain on the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
  • An influx of migrants with suspected COVID-19 contributed to community transmission and increased case numbers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Afghanistan's already fragile healthcare system.
  • To highlight the compounding effects of community transmission, migrant influx, and security threats on healthcare delivery.
  • To underscore the critical need for international intervention and a ceasefire.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative analysis of the healthcare system's response to the pandemic.
  • Review of factors contributing to healthcare system strain, including insecurity and conflict.
  • Assessment of the impact of migrant influx on disease transmission.

Main Results:

  • COVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing weaknesses in Afghanistan's healthcare system.
  • Migrant influx and community transmission led to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
  • Attacks on civilians and healthcare workers further crippled essential health services.

Conclusions:

  • Afghanistan's healthcare system is critically overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflict.
  • Urgent international support is required to bolster healthcare infrastructure and services.
  • A United Nations-mandated ceasefire is essential to stabilize the country and enable effective healthcare delivery.

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