Ruchi Kumar

2 months ago | kpbs.org | Ruchi Kumar

The world is so close to wiping out polio. But in 2025, there are sign that the virus is not quite ready to go the way of smallpox — the only disease eradicated by humans. Two countries are seeing an increase in cases caused by the wild polio virus, which can cause paralysis and even death, particularly in infants and young children. And the cuts in USAID contracts that support polio vaccination raise concern that other countries will see a resurgence as well.

2 months ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Ruchi Kumar

She's a young woman who has zero chance of pursuing a college degree in Afghanistan. That's because in December 2022 the Taliban decreed that women would no longer be allowed to pursue university education. High schools for girls were banned the year before. But she found a way to follow her dream. Starting in 2024, R.K. began taking online courses at the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), thanks to a scholarship funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

2 months ago | theguardian.com | Ruchi Kumar

More than 200 health facilities run by the World Health Organization in Afghanistan, providing medical care for 1.84 million people, have closed or ceased operating after the US aid cuts announced by the Trump administration shut off life-saving medical care, including vaccinations, maternal and child health services.

2 months ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Sana Atif |Freshta Ghani |Ruchi Kumar |Zuhal Ahad

‘I begged them, my daughter was dying’: how Taliban male escort rules are killing mothers and babiesA female health worker, accompanied by her mahram or male chaperone, arrives at work in a snowstorm in the province of Zabul, south Afghanistan. A female health worker, accompanied by her mahram or male chaperone, arrives at work in a snowstorm in the province of Zabul, south Afghanistan.

2 months ago | theguardian.com | Ruchi Kumar

It was the middle of the night when Zarin Gul realised that her daughter Nasrin had to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Her daughter’s husband was away working in Iran and the two women were alone with Nasrin’s seven children when Nasrin, heavily pregnant with her eighth child, began experiencing severe pains. Gul helped Nasrin into a rickshaw and they set off into the night.