Additional Context: Termination of this USAID program removed one of the last avenues for Afghan women to engage in health governance. Before its termination, MSH’s USAID-funded program operated in 14 provinces, supporting hundreds of facilities to deliver basic health care to infants, children, and expectant mothers while diagnosing and treating TB, polio, and other infectious diseases. The closure cuts off access for thousands in remote districts and jeopardizes U.S. global-health security priorities, including containment of multidrug-resistant TB and polio at their source.

Source: MSH

Devex Researcher Note: Community health shuras in Afghanistan are committees that help guide and support health services at the village level. They typically include community elders, religious leaders, and representatives from different groups, including women where possible. Their role is to identify local health needs, promote healthy behaviors,and strengthen trust in the health system.