The need to sustain funding for Afghanistan health system to prevent excess morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Background: The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, managed by the World Bank through a contracted-out instrument called Sehatmandi, financed health service delivery in Afghanistan, with substantial achievements in infant, child and maternal health. After the collapse of the Afghan Government on 15 August 2021, the health system has been on the brink of collapse. Aims: We assessed the use of basic health services and estimated excess mortality resulting from the interruption to healthcare funding. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that compared health services utilization from June to September for 3 consecutive years, 2019, 2020 and 2021, using 11 output indicators reported by the health management and information system. We used the Lives Saved Tool, a linear mathematical model with input data from the Afghanistan Demographic Health Survey 2015, to calculate the additional maternal, neonatal and child mortality at 25%, 50%, 75% and 95% reduction in health coverage. Results: During August and September 2021, after the announced ban on financing, health service utilization decreased to a range of 7–59%. Family planning, major surgeries and postnatal care showed the greatest decreases. Uptake of child immunization showed one-third decrease. Sehatmandi provides around 75% of primary and secondary health services: pausing funds to this programme will result in additional 2862 maternal deaths, 15 741 neonatal deaths, 30 519 child deaths, and 4057 stillbirths. Conclusion: Sustaining the current level of health services delivery is crucial to avoid excess, preventable morbidity and mortality in Afghanistan.