The World Health Organization reported in its May 2025 report that at least 310 people died in Afghanistan due to infectious diseases.

According to the report, infectious diseases such as acute respiratory infection, measles, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and acute diarrhea were the main causes of these deaths. Acute respiratory infection, with over 92,000 reported cases and 195 deaths, accounted for the highest number of fatalities, although it showed a slight decrease compared to April figures.

The report also states that 14,660 suspected cases of measles and 93 related deaths were recorded, which is a decrease compared to April (18,703 cases and 111 deaths). In contrast, cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever increased from 109 to 200, and the number of fatalities rose from 6 to 16.

According to the report, 6 deaths due to acute diarrhea accompanied by dehydration were also recorded, in addition to 5,186 cases of malaria, 586 cases of COVID-19, and 216 cases of dengue fever.

This crisis has worsened as Afghanistan’s healthcare system is facing severe challenges due to the suspension of international aid, particularly from the United States.

The World Health Organization has warned that if the current trend continues, more than 10 percent of Afghanistan’s population may lack access to healthcare services by the end of the year. The closure of over 400 health centers due to budget shortages and widespread restrictions on women’s participation in healthcare have made the situation especially critical in remote areas.

The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment not only represent a clear violation of human rights, but have directly weakened the country’s healthcare capacity and endangered the lives of thousands of women and children. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that excluding women from the health system poses a serious barrier to aid delivery and patient care.

The World Health Organization has urged the Taliban to ease restrictions and has called on the international community for urgent assistance to prevent the complete collapse of the healthcare system in Afghanistan.

It is worth noting that despite repeated calls from international organizations to lift anti-women restrictions, the Taliban continue to insist on policies they describe as “implementation of Sharia”; policies for which millions of people, especially women and children, are paying the price with their lives.