Although several international organizations warned in 2021 that Afghanistan’s healthcare system was at risk of collapse, the sector has experienced a range of developments and challenges over the past five years.

In its fifth year, the Ministry of Public Health introduced a five-year National Health Strategy aimed at providing standardized and equitable healthcare services, improving quality, strengthening the capacity of health workers, equipping hospitals, and reducing maternal and newborn mortality.

Mohammad Hassan Ghiasi, Deputy Minister for Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Public Health, said: “Cooperation and implementation of this strategy are the shared responsibility of all relevant government institutions, provincial public health departments, national and international health partners, donors, implementing organizations, the private sector, academic and educational institutions, and communities.”

Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical sector also underwent a significant shift following an order by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to halt medicine imports from Pakistan. Imports of medicines from Pakistan were completely banned on February 9, 2026.

Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali also traveled to India for a seven-day visit on December 16 and, following meetings with Indian health officials, described the trip as productive.