The European Union Delegation to Afghanistan has stated that access to healthcare services is essential for women and girls in Afghanistan. The delegation posted this statement on its X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, March 13, marking the fifth and final day of its campaign in support of Afghan women.
According to the EU Delegation, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), it has provided outpatient services for infectious diseases to more than 95,000 Afghan women, while over 7,700 of them have received inpatient care. The statement reads: “Strengthening Afghanistan’s health security system is crucial for an effective response to disease outbreaks. The European Union supports the enhancement of diagnostic and treatment services for infectious diseases across the country to improve patient health outcomes.”
The delegation added that its programs have contributed to training healthcare workers and improving the overall quality of services. As a result, more than 581 women have gained new skills in mental health, while 41 have been trained in infection prevention, control, and laboratory techniques.
However, the Taliban’s restrictive measures on women have severely impacted and nearly dismantled their access to healthcare services. According to the Taliban’s directives, male doctors are not permitted to treat female patients in the absence of a male guardian, further limiting Afghan women’s ability to receive medical care.
