February 4 marks World Cancer Day, a global occasion aimed at raising public awareness about this deadly disease, which is one of the leading causes of human mortality worldwide.
Officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), during an event held on this occasion, described cancer as a social, economic, and human challenge, emphasizing that its prevention is a shared responsibility of international organizations and society at large.
Abdulwali Haqqani, Deputy of Health Services at MoPH, said: “We are working to expand and standardize specialized cancer diagnosis and treatment services in the country. We aim to establish high-quality systems for early detection and treatment, enhance the capacity of healthcare personnel, and implement public awareness programs in a consistent and sustainable way.”
MoPH officials also highlighted that cancer is deeply rooted in Afghanistan, and decades of war, combined with the use of various weapons, have contributed to an increase in the disease, although no specific statistics were provided.
A representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan pointed to similar causes, noting that the past decades of conflict not only destroyed buildings but also exacerbated deadly diseases such as cancer.
The WHO official emphasized the importance of international support for cancer prevention and treatment in Afghanistan. To date, over 60 Afghan doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have been trained in oncology, chemotherapy, and palliative care.
WHO Afghanistan representative Manuel Delara said: “We are committed to raising awareness, ensuring timely diagnosis, and creating hope for a cancer-free future. This goal is achieved through screening, access to chemotherapy and medicines, surgical oncology, palliative care, and capacity-building of healthcare workers.”
WHO studies conducted every five years indicate that as of 2020, approximately 23,000 Afghans are diagnosed annually with oral and throat cancers.
Meanwhile, many people welcomed the recent opening of a specialized cancer treatment hospital in Kabul, noting that it will reduce the need for Afghans to seek treatment abroad. Doctors also stress that increasing public awareness is essential for cancer prevention and call for the implementation of comprehensive awareness programs.
