Estimating the out-of-pocket health expenditure in patients under 5 years with severe malnutrition in Afghanistan in 2023: Findings from a cross-sectional study.

Increasing OOPE in rural Afghanistan poses a significant obstacle to equitable healthcare services and access to appropriate medicines. To support the goal of universal healthcare coverage, geographic imbalances, and broad health financing options must be addressed. Strengthening insurance coverage and more government assistance can significantly reduce these patients' out-of-pocket payments.