Kazakhstan has deployed a team of specialist doctors to Afghanistan to provide surgical and medical care, expanding its humanitarian assistance as the country’s health system continues to face severe shortages of resources and specialist services.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health said the medical mission includes senior specialists in orthopedics, trauma care, cardiology, pediatrics, general surgery, urology, pulmonology and epidemiology. The doctors are working in Afghanistan hospitals, where they are treating patients and performing complex surgical procedures.
According to the ministry, the mission is focused on patients suffering from severe injuries and congenital musculoskeletal disorders. Orthopedic specialists are examining up to 40 patients a day and carrying out three to four reconstructive surgeries daily aimed at restoring mobility and improving long-term recovery.
The deployment coincides with the delivery of 318.8 metric tons of humanitarian aid from Kazakhstan, which authorities said includes supplies intended to support humanitarian and medical needs across Afghanistan.
The mission is Kazakhstan’s second major medical deployment to Afghanistan following its emergency assistance after the devastating earthquakes that struck the country late last year, reflecting Astana’s continued humanitarian engagement despite broader regional challenges.
Afghanistan’s healthcare system remains under heavy strain after years of conflict, economic decline and reduced international funding. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that millions of Afghans face limited access to essential healthcare, while hospitals continue to struggle with shortages of medicines, equipment and qualified medical personnel.
The country has also experienced growing humanitarian needs following large-scale returns of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, placing additional pressure on already overstretched health services. International organizations say continued medical and humanitarian assistance remains critical to addressing the country’s worsening public health challenges.
