HERAT, Afghanistan — Health workers at nine medical centers in Herat province have gone on strike, citing four months of unpaid wages.
The walkout, which began on Tuesday, Oct. 22, has disrupted services at several clinics, including the Ghorian District Hospital, Maslakh Community Health Center, Shindand District Hospital, Guzara Hospital, Rowshan Health Center, Sang Kotol Health Center, Torghundi Health Center, Haftgola Health Center, and the Karukh Clinic.
Sources familiar with the situation say some government-run clinics have also joined the strike.
The protesting workers say the Organization for Health Promotion and Management (OHPM), which is responsible for paying the salaries of health workers in Herat, has failed to disburse their wages for the past four months.
OHPM is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan. It is a member of the Alliance of Health Organizations, an umbrella group for NGOs working in the health sector.
According to sources, the delay in salary payments since July 2024 is linked to demands made by the Taliban. The Taliban have allegedly insisted that the salaries of clinic guards—who are members of the Taliban—also be covered by OHPM, though the organization has said it is only responsible for paying health workers, sources said.
Afghanistan has long struggled with a healthcare crisis, exacerbated by a shortage of doctors and medical staff. In recent years, many healthcare workers have relied on international aid organizations for their salaries as the country’s economy remains in turmoil under Taliban rule.
