Médecins Sans Frontières reports a surge in measles cases in Afghanistan, with daily child deaths and rising hospitalizations. Vaccination coverage is low, necessitating urgent community immunization efforts. MSF has expanded healthcare resources in response to the crisis, highlighting the need for additional support.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported a significant increase in measles cases in Afghanistan across three hospitals since January. The organization expressed concern over the high number of cases this early in the year, noting that measles is endemic in the region. In 2025, at least one child has died from measles daily, marking nearly three times the deaths reported during the same period last year.
These deaths are labeled preventable, emphasizing the need for vaccination, especially considering that children with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable. Despite this, immunization coverage remains low in Afghanistan. MSF stresses the importance of rapid and targeted vaccination in communities suffering from outbreaks to alleviate hospital congestion.
In just the first eight weeks of 2025, MSF reported 4,799 children suspected of having measles at the hospitals it supports, with 25% needing hospitalization and 75% requiring outpatient treatment. At Herat Regional Hospital, the emergency response has included expanding the measles isolation ward significantly and adding necessary staff and medications due to the surge in complicated cases.
Boost Provincial Hospital reported a 369% increase, treating 1,866 suspected cases, while Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Hospital cared for 1,499 patients, a 35.6% increase from 2024. The MSF country representative, Mickael Le Paih, indicated that resources are being stretched, and space issues are worsened by seasonal illnesses along with measles cases.
MSF operates seven projects across several Afghan provinces, focusing on secondary healthcare. In 2024, the organization conducted over 404,500 emergency consultations, nearly 245,557 outpatient consultations, and treated over 13,030 measles patients, alongside providing significant assistance in inpatient and outpatient therapeutic feeding programs.
The recent surge in measles cases in Afghanistan underlines the critical need for improved vaccination efforts. MSF’s efforts to address this public health emergency emphasize the importance of rapid interventions and resource allocation to combat not only measles but also seasonal illnesses. The rising number of cases necessitates a community-focused approach to immunization, alongside enhanced healthcare support to manage the current crisis effectively.
Original Source: pajhwok.com
