World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the Afghanistan health sector is on the verge of collapse but that the organization would help as much as it could.

Ghebreyesus, who visited hospitals in Kabul this week, said it was heartbreaking to hear from overworked nurses that they have not been paid in months.

He also said that many Afghans do not have access to health services and many have died in recent months due to a shortage of medicine.

“Health is a service that needs to be continued at all times. If Afghanistan’s health system collapses, the tragedy will be worse and many more lives will be lost. We can prevent this from happening, together,” he tweeted.

“WHO has been supporting the Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan National Hospital through our major trauma programme, including the provision of supplies, equipment and training. We reassured the medical team that we will #StayAndDeliver further help to the best of our abilities,” he added.

He said that over 2,300 health facilities, funded through the WHO program, are at risk of closing or cutting back on services.

“My heart broke hearing that nurses, who have been working day and night, haven’t received salaries in three months. They are doing the most invaluable job in the most difficult circumstances – saving lives! We must support them for their needs,” said Ghebreyesus.

Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and deputy minister of culture and information, said that Ghebreyesus met with Afghan Premier Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, and pledged to continue assisting Afghanistan.
“It was a good meeting. A pledge was made that more aid in the form of medicine will be sent to Afghanistan,” said Mujahid.

This comes amid growing concerns among the foreign community on the economic situation in Afghanistan.

“Well our first responsibility as UN present in Afghanistan was of course to engage with the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) and to put up front a strong commitment for humanitarian aid,” said António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.