Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-28
**Lead**
The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have issued a fresh directive banning a range of ophthalmic procedures that they label ‘un-Islamic’, effectively halting life-changing surgery that restores vision for thousands of patients. The decree, reported on 28 October 2026 by several international agencies, has immediately affected hospitals in major cities, including Kabul and Herat, and is now prompting urgent diplomatic reaction from the United Kingdom, where many charitable organisations fund and run such operations.
**Context**
The prohibition appears to target specific surgical techniques that involve the implantation of certain materials or the use of procedures that Taliban religious scholars consider a violation of their interpretation of Islamic law. While the exact scope of the ban remains unclear, initial reports indicate that operations using corneal grafts from non-Muslim donors, as well as certain intraocular lenses, have been suspended. Patients who were already scheduled for surgery have been sent home, and several clinics have received written orders to cease all non-emergency eye procedures pending a full review.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health issued a statement arguing that the operations ‘alter the natural creation of Allah’ and that they contain elements prohibited by Islamic jurisprudence. This is not the first time the Taliban have restricted medical care since returning to power in 2021 – they have previously curtailed female access to education, employment, and healthcare services. However, this is the first comprehensive ban specifically targeting ophthalmology, a field where Afghanistan has historically relied heavily on international support. The National Programme for Control of Blindness in Afghanistan, supported by the World Health Organisation and several non-governmental organisations, has been largely inactive since the Taliban takeover, and the new decree further dismantles what little capacity remains.
British charities, such as the UK-based International Eye Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind (often known as Sightsavers), have been active in Afghanistan for decades. They have trained local surgeons, delivered modern equipment, and conducted treatment camps in rural areas. The new ruling directly jeopardises their projects. A spokesperson for Sightsavers told the BBC that the organisation is ‘deeply concerned’ and is reviewing its operations in the country. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has stated that it is ‘monitoring the situation closely’ and continues to advocate for the protection of basic healthcare rights.
**Analise**
The ban on sight-saving operations represents a dangerous intersection of religious extremism, public health, and international humanitarian law. For the Afghan people, the immediate consequence is devastating: avoidable blindness is known to be one of the most widespread disabilities in the country, affecting an estimated two million people. Without surgical intervention, many will face a lifetime of darkness. The Taliban’s justification, rooted in a narrow and highly conservative reading of Islamic texts, shows how their governance systematically undermines the welfare of the very population they are supposed to protect.
For the United Kingdom, this creates a policy dilemma. London has been reluctant to formally recognise the Taliban regime, but has maintained a pragmatic dialogue to facilitate humanitarian aid and the evacuation of vulnerable Afghans. Now, the UK faces the challenge of responding to a Taliban decision that violates fundamental human rights and directly harms British-funded initiatives. Some parliamentarians have already called for the suspension of all non-essential aid until the decree is reversed, but that would likely worsen the plight of Afghan patients who have no other access to care. The balance between condemnation and continued engagement is delicate, and the coming weeks will test Britain’s moral and strategic resolve.
**Fontes**
This article is based on information from international news agencies including Reuters, the BBC News, Al Jazeera, and official statements from the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, as well as public comments from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and humanitarian organisations such as Sightsavers and International Eye Relief.