Khost, Afghanistan (KT) - Taliban authorities in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province have shut down four health centers and three pharmacies for allegedly failing to comply with health regulations, officials said Thursday.
Mastaghfar Gurbaz, spokesman for the Taliban-appointed governor in Khost, said in a statement that the closures followed inspections of several health facilities, pharmacies and food shops in the city’s second and fourth districts.
He said the move was aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services and safeguarding public health. Gurbaz stressed that all health facilities and pharmacies are required to strictly observe the regulations set by the Taliban-run Ministry of Public Health and warned against violations.
Over the past four years, the Taliban have repeatedly closed health facilities and pharmacies they accused of failing to meet health standards - actions that have at times sparked criticism from residents and business owners.
