Ban on Female Medical Education threatens health care in Afghanistan: MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has warned that the Taliban’s ban on women studying medicine poses a severe threat to Afghanistan’s healthcare system.

The organization highlighted that this move could have serious consequences for women’s health across the country.

MSF stated that this ban is another step toward removing women from public and professional life in Afghanistan. The organization emphasized the impact of such policies on both healthcare access and the overall well-being of Afghan women.

With an already small number of female healthcare workers in Afghanistan, the ban further hampers access to medical care, especially as hospitals are segregated by gender. MSF noted that this situation is exacerbating the country’s healthcare challenges.

The recent ban is expected to limit women’s access to quality healthcare even further. MSF expressed concern that it will deepen the divide in healthcare availability, particularly for women, in a country already facing severe medical needs.

Michaël Le Paih, MSF’s representative in Afghanistan, stated, “No healthcare system exists without educated female medical staff.” He pointed out that over 41% of the medical staff employed by MSF in Afghanistan are women, underlining their crucial role in the healthcare sector.

He emphasized that the Taliban’s decision excludes women from both education and the provision of impartial healthcare services. This limits not only the personal growth of women but also affects the overall functioning of the medical system.

MSF also highlighted the urgent need for more female medical workers in Afghanistan to address the growing medical demands. The organization called for more training and education for women to respond to these needs.

According to MSF, restrictions over the past three years have significantly reduced women’s access to medical education in Afghanistan.

MSF stressed that access to essential healthcare must be available for all individuals, regardless of gender.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to defending women’s rights to medical education and the right to provide healthcare, continuing its advocacy for these rights in Afghanistan. The need for more trained female healthcare workers remains urgent to address the medical needs in the country.

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