The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that more than 700,000 children in Afghanistan have suffered from acute malnutrition during the first nine months of this year.

According to the report, Afghanistan's healthcare system is grappling with significant challenges, including unequal access to quality services and a shortage of specialists. These issues are particularly severe in remote areas, where many malnourished children are unable to access essential healthcare services. Among the reported cases, 27,600 children required hospitalization.

Additionally, WHO provided data showing that 1.3 million children under the age of five, as well as 470,000 pregnant and lactating mothers, have also been affected by malnutrition.

“As of September 2024, 700,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition lack access to vital treatment, including 27,600 children who need inpatient care. Moreover, 1.3 million children under five and 470,000 pregnant and lactating women have also been affected,” the report reads.

Malayam, a resident of Kapisa who brought his granddaughter to Kabul for treatment of malnutrition, told TOLOnews: “After we weaned her, the girl didn’t see a good day, and over time, her condition worsened. Now we’ve brought her here, and thank God, her eyes have opened, and she’s a bit better.”

According to WHO's forecast, winter conditions will exacerbate health challenges for children and the elderly.

Mohammad Arif Hassanzai, a doctor in Kabul, told TOLOnews: “We have patients with malnutrition. We have about 20 beds for malnutrition patients, and sometimes we even exceed this number. I remember at one point, we had two patients in one bed.”

Sayed Abdullah Ahmadi, another doctor, said: “In Afghanistan, when it snows and the weather turns cold, unfortunately, the roads to the provincial centers or Kabul become difficult to traverse. Therefore, WHO needs to support clinics and hospitals in remote areas of Afghanistan while the roads are still open.”

Despite repeated attempts by TOLOnews, the Ministry of Public Health did not comment on the report.

The WHO report also noted that the United Nations has only managed to secure 25% of the 2024 budget required to provide humanitarian, health, and other forms of assistance in Afghanistan.