Afghanistan's health system under the Taliban: key challenges

Abstract

Before the Taliban takeover on Aug 15, 2021, Afghanistan had made considerable progress over two decades in increasing the coverage of health services and improving some health indicators. Article 52 of the 2004 Afghanistan constitution states that “The state shall provide free preventative healthcare and treatment of diseases as well as medical facilities to all citizens in accordance with the provisions of the law”.1 The scope of the country's health services is defined by the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) and the Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS).