A Evaluating the Challenges Against the Development of Afghanistan's Healthcare System

Abstract

Because Afghanistan's political and economic conflicts have persisted for decades, the task of assessing the obstacles to the country's healthcare system's development is still relevant today. This study aims to identify the primary obstacles facing the nation's healthcare system and identify suitable solutions to address these problems. The study was conducted using a population survey. The questionnaire method has been used with 362 people from different regions of Afghanistan.  According to the analysis, 30% of people who live more than an hour's walk away and 70% of people who live less than an hour away can use the medical service center. The lack of access to specialized physicians in their communities was acknowledged by 49% of study participants. While 41% of respondents think that cultural and environmental factors are crucial in determining women's access to healthcare services, 59% of respondents think that cultural and environmental factors, particularly gender discrimination, influence women's access to healthcare services. According to the 54% respondents, the qualities of the drugs they have used are satisfactory, but 46% of respondents do not ensure the quality of the essential medicines they use for. The study showed that 21% of the respondents consider the main reason for patients to go abroad for treatment to be the lack of relevant specialists, 32% of them consider the lack of modern medical equipment, 16% of the respondents said that the main reason is the low quality of essential medicines in Afghanistan, and 15% of the respondents said that the main reason is a lack of trust in the country's health care system. In the same view, 10% believe that the departure of patients abroad for treatment is a result of the campaigns of the respective countries, especially India and Pakistan. In order to improve the quality of health services, it is necessary to equip hospitals with modern equipment and train specialist doctors.