Ruchi Kumar

1 week 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 weeks 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).

3 weeks 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.

3 weeks 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.

3 weeks ago | atmos.earth | Ruchi Kumar

Countless women have had their wombs removed under questionable medical advice—and climate change is making the situation worse. In early 2021, Bhanubai Madhulkar Shinde went to a local clinic in her village in Beed, a small district in western India, with complaints of heavy menstrual bleeding. “There was lots of pain during the monthly cycle.