Kabul – As summer temperatures continue to rise in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul is witnessing a sharp increase in seasonal and contagious diseases among children, sparking growing concern among health professionals and families alike.
Doctors at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, one of the busiest pediatric centers in Kabul, report a surge in daily patient visits. Children presenting with diarrhea, fever, respiratory infections, and pneumonia now flood the emergency and inpatient departments, overwhelming limited resources.
80% Spike in Diarrhea Cases
Marzia Mohammadi, a nurse in the hospital’s emergency ward, noted a troubling rise:
“With the warming weather, diarrhea cases have increased dramatically. We now admit children aged from two months to five years daily. The number of cases has jumped from 20% to 80% in just a few weeks.”
This increase is in line with seasonal trends, where higher temperatures contribute to bacterial growth and water contamination. But this year, health officials say, the crisis appears more severe and widespread than in previous summers.
Contaminated Water, Poor Sanitation Blamed
Aref Mohammad Hasanzai, head of the internal medicine department at the hospital, attributes the rise in illnesses to several preventable factors:
“Seasonal infections rise sharply in this weather. Children’s personal hygiene, family hygiene, safe drinking water, and food quality—especially formula or breast milk for babies—play a huge role. Breastfeeding is still the safest option for infants.”
Kabul’s poor sewage infrastructure, widespread poverty, lack of clean drinking water, and air pollution further exacerbate the problem. Many low-income families rely on untreated water or food exposed to direct sunlight, making young children highly vulnerable.
Parents Speak Out
Fariba, a mother who brought her sick child to the hospital, said:
“My baby has diarrhea. The doctor said I might have given him contaminated water. They advised me to give him fluids, but it’s hard when you can’t access clean water regularly.”
Morsal, another mother, explained her ordeal:
“My six-month-old was very sick. We went to a private hospital, but he didn’t improve. Now, after being treated here, he is finally feeling a bit better.”
Shocking Statistics from the Hospital
In the Afghan month of Jawza 1404 (May–June 2025), more than 1,100 children were hospitalized at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital for seasonal and contagious diseases.
Habib-ur-Rahman Farazi, head of the hospital’s statistics department, shared alarming data:
- 488 children were admitted for diarrhea; 4 died
- 232 children were treated for pneumonia; 4 also died
“These numbers reflect only one hospital,” Farazi added. “The real toll across Kabul and the provinces is likely much higher.”
National Health Crisis
Earlier reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that over 128,000 people across Afghanistan were infected with contagious illnesses in May 2025 alone, highlighting the scale of the country’s public health crisis during the summer.
Public health experts are calling for urgent intervention, including:
- Mass awareness campaigns on hygiene and hydration
- Emergency support for water purification in urban and rural areas
- Government and NGO support to increase access to pediatric care and medicine
