For World Heart Day 2026, the Afghanistan Cardiovascular Association (ACA) organized a nationwide…

For World Heart Day 2026, the Afghanistan Cardiovascular Association (ACA) organized a nationwide cardiovascular initiative to bring heart-health education, prevention, screening, and lifesaving skills closer to communities across Afghanistan.
The campaign included school-based cardiovascular prevention and Basic Life Support (BLS) sessions in Kabul, empowering young people with knowledge of healthy lifestyles, cardiovascular risk factors, and CPR. Beyond the capital, in several provinces, ACA provided community cardiovascular screening and preventive education, alongside free three-day BLS training seminars for doctors and nurses to strengthen local emergency-care capacity.
The main celebration, held on 29 September at Ariana Medical Complex, brought together ACA, healthcare institutions, the Afghanistan Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AFSOG), government and humanitarian representatives, healthcare professionals, students, educators, and community members. Scientific sessions and public health camps addressed cardiovascular prevention, warning signs, healthy lifestyles, maternal and fetal cardiovascular health, congenital heart disease, and timely access to care. Community activities included cardiovascular assessments, including free cardiovascular screening, counseling, and distribution of educational materials.
Our central message was that heart health is a shared responsibility. Through this campaign, ACA sought to make cardiovascular prevention accessible, understandable, and relevant to families, schools, healthcare professionals, and communities across Afghanistan.