KABUL / WASHINGTON: A devastating account from Afghanistan has shed light on the human toll of U.S. aid cuts, with a grieving husband claiming his wife died during childbirth after the closure of a clinic once sustained by American funding. The tragic loss has sparked outrage, symbolising the broader crisis faced by vulnerable communities after healthcare services were disrupted.
According to a BBC investigation, maternal deaths in Afghanistan have surged following the Trump administration’s decision to halt support for clinics accused of links to Taliban-controlled regions. The closures left rural families without access to essential services, forcing women to give birth without medical supervision. In this case, the man says his wife’s life could have been saved had the clinic remained functional.
U.S. funding historically accounted for nearly half of Afghanistan’s foreign aid, making the cuts even more damaging to a fragile healthcare system. While Washington insists the aid withdrawal was necessary to prevent misuse, critics argue that ordinary Afghans — particularly women and children — are paying the highest price. Rights organisations warn that the shutdown of clinics is not just about one tragic case, but part of a growing pattern of preventable deaths.
The story has reignited debate over the responsibilities of international powers when withdrawing aid. Advocates are calling for urgent safeguards to ensure that essential health services in conflict-hit regions are never left to collapse, regardless of political considerations.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.