WHO Issues Alert on Rising Attacks Amid Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has voiced serious concerns about the escalating conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan and its potentially devastating impact on healthcare systems.

In a statement shared via his social media on Wednesday, Ghebreyesus stressed that health facilities and vulnerable populations face increasing threats amid heightened hostilities.

He reported that at least six health facilities in Afghanistan have been affected since late February as hostilities intensified between the two nations.

One notable incident highlighted was an overnight strike on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Facility in Kabul, where over 400 individuals were reported killed, and at least 250 others who were receiving treatment for substance use disorders were injured.

Ghebreyesus indicated that the WHO is actively verifying these incidents but noted that the intensifying violence is exerting added pressure on already fragile healthcare systems. He stated, “The escalating conflict is putting more strain on health systems and increasing risks to the health and well- being of vulnerable populations.” He urged all involved parties to de-escalate tensions and prioritize peace.

The recent flare-up of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan comes after a protracted period of cross-border skirmishes that have escalated into what Islamabad has dubbed an “open war,” as reported by Al Jazeera.

Tensions soared late in February when Afghan forces allegedly attacked military positions in Pakistan, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Pakistan on multiple Afghan cities, including Kabul. Both countries have exchanged strikes and artillery fire since, each accusing the other of provoking violence and incurring civilian casualties.

This conflict stems from longstanding grievances, particularly Pakistan's assertions that militant factions such as the Pakistani Taliban operate from Afghan territory, allegations consistently denied by Kabul, according to information from the BBC.

With these developments, concerns are rising regarding the implications of ongoing conflicts on health systems in the affected areas. Health facilities, their personnel, and patients increasingly face dangers in these conflict zones, disrupting access to vital services and emergency care.

In Afghanistan, the recent attacks and surging casualty figures are poised to further strain already limited medical resources and complicate humanitarian efforts. Ghebreyesus’ statement is part of a larger chorus of calls from the WHO for restraint in areas experiencing conflict.

This warning resonates with ongoing hostilities in the US/Israel-Iran conflict, which has also significantly strained healthcare systems throughout the Middle East. Recently, the WHO documented an increase in healthcare attacks in Lebanon, with 14 health workers killed within a single day. Additionally, ongoing airspace restrictions linked to the conflict have hampered the timely delivery of critical medical supplies to over 1.5 million individuals across several countries.

The WHO continues to advocate for the protection of civilians and health infrastructure, stressing the need for humanitarian access and urging for conflict de-escalation to avert further degradation of health conditions.