The Growth Of Medical Education In Afghanistan: Exploring The Number Of Medical Schools

There are over 25 medical schools in Afghanistan, with the top-leading school being Kabul Medical University (KMU), formerly known as the Kabul Medical Institute. KMU is a coeducational centre with under 1000 students enrolled and currently graduates professionals in the fields of curative medicine, paediatrics, stomatology, dental and nursing. Other notable medical schools in Afghanistan include Nangarhar University, Balkh University Faculty of Medicine, Bost University Faculty of Medicine, Herat Medical Faculty, Kandahar University Faculty of Medicine, and Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan University Faculty of Medicine.

Kabul Medical University

There are more than 25 medical schools in Afghanistan, including Kabul Medical University (KMU), which is considered the country's top leading medical school. KMU is located in Kabul, Afghanistan, on the campus of Kabul University. The medical institution was initially maintained in collaboration with Turkish and French sponsors. However, in 2005, it became a single autonomous university. KMU is a coeducational centre with an enrolment of fewer than 1000 students. The university offers various programmes, including Curative Medicine, Pediatric, Stomatology, Dental, and Nursing. In 2012, two new departments, Medical Technology and Anesthesia, were added to the university. While the medium of instruction at KMU is Dari and Pashto, most medical terms are taught in English.

The history of KMU dates back to 1932 when the Medical School was established as the first core higher education institution in Afghanistan. In 1980, the Faculty of Paediatric and Stomatology were added, and the institution's name was changed to the State Kabul Medical Institute. Over the years, the institute underwent several name changes and additions of new faculties, including Nursing, Public Health, and Allied Health. In 2015, a community college was established within the university. In 2016, the Kabul Medical University was promoted and renamed the Kabul University of Medical Sciences.

KMU has also established international collaborations to enhance its academic programmes. The University of Nebraska Medical Center provided scholarships, cutting-edge medical technology, and access to research institutions. Additionally, the University of Manitoba's medical school helped KMU rebuild its library after the war, providing a collection of essential medical textbooks.

Nangarhar University

Afghanistan is home to more than 25 medical schools, including the Nangarhar University Medical Faculty in Jalalabad. Established in 1962 or 1963 as a medical college, Nangarhar University is the second-largest academic institution in Afghanistan. It is a government-funded higher learning institution with around 15,000 students and 472 academic staff members across 13 faculties or colleges and 75 departments. The university offers a range of programs, including associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and PhDs.

The university has faced challenges, including a lack of resources such as computers and textbooks. However, they have received support through international partnerships and donations, such as textbooks and dictionaries from the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club. Nangarhar University is committed to providing a high-quality academic environment that aligns with the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education. They actively develop curricula, facilitate practical learning, and seek partnerships with national and international institutions to enhance their academic programs.

Afghan Swiss Medical Institute of Higher Education

Afghanistan is home to numerous medical schools, including the Afghan Swiss Medical Institute of Higher Education, a private university located in Kabul. Established in 2012, the institute is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education of Afghanistan and accredited by ISO 9001-2008. The institute boasts a unique environment and infrastructure, offering global standard medical education and healthcare services.

The Afghan Swiss Medical Institute of Higher Education offers a range of courses and programs, including:

• Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery
• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

The institute has two faculties: the Faculty of Stomatology and the Faculty of Curative Studies. The stomatology faculty offers a six-year program, including one year of practical training, while the curative faculty offers a seven-year program with a similar practical focus.

The Afghan Swiss Medical Institute of Higher Education is committed to providing an excellent educational environment for learning, teaching, and research in medicine. It aims to become a leading and prestigious educational institution, serving society by transferring knowledge and experience to the young generation. The institute is dedicated to promoting gender equality in education and admits both men and women.

The institute's campus is located in Sarsabzi Square in Kabul, and it offers various facilities to support students' academic pursuits and overall experience. These facilities include a standard curriculum, an equipped library, a teaching hospital, a cafeteria, a green zone, and parking.

Female doctors and specialists

Afghanistan has long suffered from a shortage of female doctors and specialists. During the Taliban era, women were not allowed to train as doctors, and many female doctors and specialists fled the country during the 23 years of conflict. This has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare system, particularly in rural areas, where cultural norms often prevent women from being examined by male doctors.

In the highly conservative Islamic society that the Taliban hopes to create, women are supposed to be cared for by other women. This has led to a rare instance of the Taliban promoting women's education and employment, with the group training female doctors and nurses to provide essential services while maintaining gender segregation. However, the Taliban has simultaneously imposed strict restrictions on girls' and women's education, barring many girls from secondary school and prohibiting women from enrolling in certain university subjects. These contradictory policies have narrowed the pipeline for future female doctors and limited the number of women who can train as medical professionals.

Despite these challenges, some women have continued to pursue medical careers, even studying and training in secret to circumvent the Taliban's bans. Others have found creative ways to work around the restrictions, such as by securing internships and residencies. There are also all-female mobile health teams that travel to remote villages, providing healthcare to women who lack access to health services.

The shortage of female doctors and specialists in Afghanistan has severe consequences for women's health, particularly in the areas of maternity and gynecology. The maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan is among the highest in the world, and the lack of access to female healthcare providers further exacerbates this issue.

Efforts to address the shortage of female medical professionals have been made, with NGOs and health officials pushing to train more midwives in recent years. However, there is still a lack of sufficient midwifery presence in some provinces, and the issue of unqualified, unofficial midwives offering dangerous medical advice persists.

Overall, the situation regarding female doctors and specialists in Afghanistan is complex and challenging. While there are women pursuing medical careers and providing essential healthcare services, they face significant obstacles due to societal norms and restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Addressing this issue will require a concerted effort to improve access to education and training for women, as well as a commitment to upholding women's rights and ensuring their safety in the male-dominated field of medicine.

Medical education and rehabilitation

Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of disability in the world due to four decades of war and its aftermath. The country's medical education system has suffered as a result of this conflict, with a lack of doctors in rural areas, female doctors, and senior specialists.

Medical Education

There are four medical schools in Afghanistan, located in Kabul, Jalalabad, Mazar-I-Sharif, and Herat. The Kabul Medical Institute has continued to produce medical graduates throughout the period of conflict and currently has over 2000 students registered for medical degrees. However, the building has been severely damaged by fighting, with no functioning plumbing and limited electricity. As a result, medical teaching has become entirely lecture-based with no facility for laboratory classes.

Rehabilitation

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been running a physical rehabilitation programme in Afghanistan since 1988 and currently has seven specialised limb-fitting centres that cater to the needs of almost 178,000 disabled citizens. The ICRC also runs a physiotherapy centre in Herat, where former patients can work as physiotherapists.

In addition to the ICRC's efforts, there have been proposals for a branch of Pakistan's Khyber Medical University to be set up in Afghanistan to help provide medical education and skills to the country.

While Afghanistan has a small number of medical schools, the conflict in the country has impacted their ability to teach effectively, and there is a lack of medical professionals in certain specialisations. Rehabilitation efforts, such as those by the ICRC, are helping to provide physical rehabilitation to disabled citizens, but more work is needed to improve the country's medical education system.

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