Tuberculosis cases in southern Afghanistan surge 30% in one year
MSF hospital in Kandahar reports sharp rise, with women making up 60% of patients as drug-resistant strains add to public health crisis
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — Tuberculosis cases in southern Afghanistan have surged by nearly 30% compared to last year, raising concerns among health workers over the spread of both common and drug-resistant forms of the disease.
According to independent broadcaster ToloNews, medical staff at the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Kandahar say that since the start of 2025, they have treated around 1,500 patients with the ordinary form of tuberculosis and another 90 with severe drug-resistant TB. Most patients have come from Kandahar, Zabul, and Uruzgan provinces.
Hospital officials emphasized that women make up roughly 60% of those receiving treatment. “Due to social and other factors in Afghanistan, women are more vulnerable to tuberculosis,” said Purity, head of medical services at the MSF facility. “The fact that a majority of our patients are women is a significant concern.”
Sediqullah Ishaq, deputy director of the hospital, confirmed the scale of the rise and said the increase underscores the urgency of expanded public health interventions. “This shows a 30% increase compared to last year,” he said, noting that the hospital works in collaboration with Afghanistan’s National Tuberculosis Program.
Tuberculosis remains one of the country’s most pressing health challenges, exacerbated by poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare. The World Health Organization has consistently warned that Afghanistan is among the countries with the highest TB burden worldwide.
Experts describe tuberculosis as a highly contagious bacterial disease, with symptoms including persistent cough, fever, chest pain, night sweats, and weight loss.
Drug-resistant strains in particular pose serious treatment challenges, as they require longer and more expensive therapies that many Afghans cannot afford.
Doctors at the MSF hospital say continued international support is critical to ensuring patients can access life-saving treatment, especially in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure remains weak.
Without greater investment in detection and prevention, health workers warn, the number of TB cases could continue to climb in the coming years.
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