KABUL, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) — Esmatullah, a 32-year-old taxi driver in Kabul and the only real breadwinner for a household of 10, spends greater than 1,000 afghanis (practically 16 U.S. {dollars}) monthly on medicines prescribed for his spouse, who suffers from a neurological sickness. Whereas options can be found, rising costs nonetheless pressure his restricted earnings.
“Costs are increased than earlier than,” he stated quietly. “Prior to now 4 months alone, now we have spent practically 5,000 afghanis (about 77 U.S. {dollars}) on medicines.”
When the land border crossings with Pakistan had been abruptly shut, panic quietly unfold by means of pharmacies, hospitals, and 1000’s of Afghan houses. For a lot of households already scuffling with sickness, the sudden worry was not solely about politics, nevertheless it was additionally about whether or not the following dose of life-saving medication would arrive in any respect.
Compounding the border woes, experiences from the World Well being Group (WHO) and the International Well being Cluster in December 2025 revealed a deepening humanitarian shadow: Almost 445 well being services suspended or closed operations as a consequence of funding shortages, pushed by cuts in worldwide support, together with from america. This left 3.79 million folks in 33 of 34 provinces with out important healthcare, a stark reminder of Afghanistan’s fragility.
Nevertheless, Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market quietly tailored. New provide routes had been activated, various buying and selling companions stepped in, and most decisively, Chinese language medicines started filling the hole, arriving reliably, affordably, and at scale.
Aziz Ahmad Ahmadi, a veteran wholesaler within the Afghan capital, Kabul metropolis, with greater than twenty years within the commerce, spoke with real enthusiasm about this shift. “At the moment, about 25 % of Afghanistan’s medication wants are met by Chinese language merchandise.”
Ahmadi highlighted how Chinese language prescription drugs, from injections and tablets to soothing syrups, are priced roughly 15 % decrease than counterparts from India or Iran.
Mohammad Yaqub Mangal, performing head of the Afghanistan Union of Drugs and Medical Tools Importers, painted a stark image of dependency: “Solely about 20 % of medicines are produced domestically. The remaining 80 % are imported.”
Mangal stated that Chinese language prescription drugs and tools now available in the market are substantial. “Chinese language surgical devices, syringes, syrups, and medicines are extensively embraced,” Mangal informed Xinhua. “They’re reasonably priced, and their high quality is suitable for our market.”
At the moment, Afghanistan has 130 pharmaceutical factories producing greater than 600 forms of medicines, based on the official information from the Ministry of Public Well being. Nonetheless, home manufacturing falls far in need of nationwide demand.
In early November 2025, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan’s deputy prime minister for financial affairs, overtly urged merchants and industrialists to pivot towards various markets, notably in neighboring nations.
On this context, China stands out as Afghanistan’s most favorable and dependable exterior supply of medicines and medical tools. For a lot of Afghans, Chinese language prescription drugs signify greater than affordability, they signify continuity of care, stability, and dignity.
Throughout pharmacies and clinics in Kabul and past, there’s a rising sense of cautious optimism. Sufferers, merchants, and well being employees alike hope that the presence of Chinese language medicines in Afghanistan will proceed to develop, guaranteeing that entry to important remedy stays inside attain for hundreds of thousands.
