More than 10% of Afghans could lose healthcare by year-end: WHO
Afghanistan, with a population of 45 million that has long been dependent on aid, faces the world's second-largest humanitarian crisis.
Since US funding cuts earlier this year, about three million people have lost access to health services because of the closure of more than 364 medical centres, with a further 220 centres at risk of closing by the third quarter of 2025, the UN's health agency said.
That would mean more than half of the 1,068 centres across the country would be closed, Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO representative in Afghanistan, told AFP in an interview.
"That's maybe another two or three million people who have no access to healthcare services," Salvador said in Kabul.
"When the funding stopped, of course the existing donors tried to step up. But you're talking about a significant gap to US funding," he added.
Afghanistan's dilapidated healthcare system has been weakened by decades of war and records some of the world's highest infant and maternal mortality rates.
The global aid situation has grown dire since President Donald Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development early this year, and to begin Washington's withdrawal from the WHO.
His administration scrapped 83 percent of humanitarian programmes funded by USAID. The agency had an annual budget of $42.8 billion, representing 42 percent of total global humanitarian aid.
"The system is already very fragile, and whatever system is remaining, is really coping the best that they can," Salvador said.
"It's only getting worse, and if we're not able to collectively address the gap, I fear that it will only get worse moving forward."
The risk of disease outbreaks such as dengue, malaria and tuberculosis will increase, while immunisations will fall, Salvador added.
The WHO is also trying to vaccinate enough children to eradicate polio, which is now endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) this month urged international donors to continue supporting the 22.9 million Afghans in need of aid this year.
Eighty-five percent of Afghans live on less than a dollar a day, according to the UN's development agency (UNDP).
"I know there are a lot of priorities, different priorities in the world," Salvador said.
"My request is let us also not forget about the needs of Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan."
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'After cleansing, some people report healthy and regular digestion, reduced hunger and cravings, and improved energy levels,' Stone explained. 'Most people report feeling less bloating, a soothed stomach, and more regular bowel movements.' All of this sounds great on paper, but consistency is key. Fortunately, it's very easy to take Para-Shield, and the flavor is not bad at all (think sweet-and-light ginger-clove-yuzu). My friend who tasted it compared it to a mocktail. I plopped the drops directly into my mouth using the provided dispenser, but the tincture also mixes easily in water. After the first week of my cleanse, I felt pretty much the same overall, aside from a few more trips to the restroom. I didn't notice any dramatic physical changes, but there were no concerning side effects either — just better regularity. The only mildly inconvenient part was remembering to take it twice a day, especially on an empty stomach. 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In general, cleanses and detoxes are associated with a variety of possible short-term and long-term risks that you should be aware of. Take the aforementioned trips to the bathroom — very common. If you have somewhere to be, don't count on taking the tincture and getting there in time. Beyond increased bowel movements, it's also possible to experience vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, diarrhea (which can lead to dehydration), and other GI issues, per the Cleveland Clinic. According to Touchstone Essentials, 'die-off' symptoms can also occur as unwanted microorganisms are expelled from the body. The release of endotoxins can trigger a temporary reaction of discomfort in the digestive system, causing short-term fatigue. The symptoms should pass quickly, but users are instructed to stop the cleanse if they experience any more pronounced symptoms. Fortunately, I didn't experience any major side effects while taking Para-Shield for 21 days. No digestive discomfort, no headaches, no bloating, no lethargy, etc. I did take some precautions; I drank what felt like gallons of water a day to curb dehydration and tried my best to stick to a plant-based diet, incorporating lots of colorful fruits and veggies and skipping most processed foods (besides a slice of pizza or two). Despite my generally positive detox experience, I'm still cautious when recommending any cleanse program. Just because it's right for someone does not mean it's right for you. Para-Shield is not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to the cleansing herbs. Some ingredients could also interact with other medications, which is why it's very important to consult your physician before use. Pros and Cons Pros: Para-Shield incorporates clinically studied, time-tested herbal ingredients that support detoxification and gut health at the same time The customer reviews lean very positive on taste, tolerance, and symptom improvement, with benefits being noticed in the first few weeks of use Para-Shield is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and free from synthetic additives and fillers Cons: Para-Shield is not suitable for pregnant women, and it's possible that it could cause detox symptoms and interfere with other medications (always consult a physician before use) Requires consistent use for best results, and adults must take ten drops twice a day (preferably on an empty stomach) Final Thoughts My TikTok #foryoupage is nothing short of wild, and I'm no stranger to some woo-woo remedies. I've covered everything from testosterone treatment and heavy metal detoxes to anti-aging supplements that tout cellular repair. Very few protocols I've tested firsthand have delivered identifiable benefits. A detox works a little differently since your body is actively flushing out unwanted substances. It's often easier to tell when it's doing its job, because that process usually leads to faster, more frequent digestion (nature calls) as well as an overall sense of lightness. Temporarily, it may show on the scale, too. However, that might not translate to long-term benefits. As someone who tried a parasite cleanse without an awareness of having parasites, I was generally very impressed with the results. Sure, it's not the most convenient routine to take ten drops twice a day, but after noticing less bloating, fewer cravings, and more energy, I thought it was well worth it. For just $49, I think it's more than a reasonable investment to make in your overall health. How We Tested In order to evaluate the Touchstone Essentials Para-Shield herbal cleanse, I followed a structured 21-day protocol, mirroring the instructions on the website and the back of the bottle. Before, during, and after testing, I considered ease of use, side effects, internal and external benefits, and overall value. I also consulted Eddie Stone, the founder and CEO of Touchstone Essentials, for answers to frequently asked questions about parasite cleanses. Ease of use: A cleanse protocol should be simple for any person to follow and integrate into their daily routine. I considered the required serving size (10 drops) as well as the frequency (twice a day) for 21 days, to make note of how easy it was to stick with the detox program. It is also recommended to take Para-Shield on an empty stomach, so users must consider planning their meals accordingly. A cleanse protocol should be simple for any person to follow and integrate into their daily routine. I considered the required serving size (10 drops) as well as the frequency (twice a day) for 21 days, to make note of how easy it was to stick with the detox program. It is also recommended to take Para-Shield on an empty stomach, so users must consider planning their meals accordingly. Side effects: It's important to consider that parasite cleanses can be accompanied by a range of potential side effects, including dehydration, headaches, frequent bowel movements, and reduced energy associated with 'die-off' symptoms, as well as other potential GI tract issues. I monitored any symptoms closely, keeping a journal, logging any adverse physical or mental side effects. It's important to consider that parasite cleanses can be accompanied by a range of potential side effects, including dehydration, headaches, frequent bowel movements, and reduced energy associated with 'die-off' symptoms, as well as other potential GI tract issues. I monitored any symptoms closely, keeping a journal, logging any adverse physical or mental side effects. Benefits: The goal of a parasite cleanse is to eliminate parasites and alleviate symptoms of parasite exposure, which can range from diarrhea and abdominal pain to bloating and nausea. While taking Para-Shield, I tracked any improvements in digestion, energy, skin tone, and noted whether I was craving any certain foods, as well as how 'full' I felt after meals. The goal of a parasite cleanse is to eliminate parasites and alleviate symptoms of parasite exposure, which can range from diarrhea and abdominal pain to bloating and nausea. While taking Para-Shield, I tracked any improvements in digestion, energy, skin tone, and noted whether I was craving any certain foods, as well as how 'full' I felt after meals. Overall Value: At $49.00 a bottle for a 21-day supply, I evaluated the cost, safety, and effectiveness of the herbs used in Para-Shield for parasite removal and gut health support. I considered the requirements of upping water intake and the recommended dietary changes to evaluate the ease of Para-Shield parasite cleanse, while comparing it to other supplements and detox protocols I've tested. This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston's favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
