Zahra, a refugee from Afghanistan now residing in Mashhad, Iran, expresses her distress over her mother’s urgent need for eye surgery. Like many Afghan refugees, Zahra faces financial constraints, despite her and her sister’s efforts to support their family.
The instability in Afghanistan has led millions to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Iran. Since 1979, Iran has been a host to one of the world’s largest refugee populations, including Zahra and her family.
Women and girls among the refugees encounter specific health challenges, with Afghan women in Iran experiencing higher pregnancy complication rates and limited access to reproductive health care.
Iran has extended its universal health insurance program to include refugees over the past decade. However, many women still struggle to access necessary medical services due to financial difficulties.
Community health worker Fatemeh in Golestan province highlights the financial struggles faced by many refugees, who often prioritize basic needs over healthcare.
An agreement between UNHCR and Iran’s ministries of Interior and Health has allowed registered refugees to access the national health insurance scheme since 2015, covering a wide range of medical facilities.
UNFPA has initiated cash voucher programs to assist vulnerable Afghan women in covering health insurance premiums, particularly focusing on pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.
For Zahra’s mother, these vouchers are crucial for accessing specialized eye surgery, potentially preventing blindness.
The vouchers also aim to encourage women to seek prenatal and antenatal care, providing vital support during pregnancy, as highlighted by Raziyeh, another beneficiary.
The program has already distributed thousands of cash vouchers to Afghan women refugees in Iran, offering a sense of hope and peace amid their displacement.
Access to healthcare, facilitated by initiatives like these, serves as a beacon of comfort for refugees, offering support and potentially making a positive impact on their lives, as noted by community health worker Fatemah.
