Despite repeated claims by the Taliban that they would eradicate corruption and bribery in the country, some citizens say they have obtained medical and non-medical academic diplomas from private universities, which are approved by the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education, by paying money. Others say the sale of academic credentials jeopardizes the lives of hundreds of patients and leads to qualified and specialized individuals being sidelined.
Sources speaking with the Hasht-e Subh Daily say that some private universities sell medical and non-medical academic credentials to applicants for large sums of money without them completing the educational process. Citizens who have experienced this process say that individuals have obtained diplomas simply by paying money, without even completing a single semester in specialized fields.
Muslim Alizada (pseudonym), a resident of Kabul, says it is impossible to hire doctors without them passing an exam. For this reason, several doctors are employed and make a living by purchasing nursing or midwifery credentials.
Muslim adds: “Two of my friends who graduated last year each paid 40,000 Afghanis to buy a nursing credential and are now practically working in a hospital.”
Maisam Kandahari, another young man, states that his colleague managed to receive a bachelor’s degree in economics from a private university by paying money. He adds, “During the Republic era, I attended university for about a year, but I didn’t continue due to family commitments and problems. When they contacted him about not paying for a semester during which he had attended class, he went to the university office. They told my colleague that by paying money for eight semesters, he could receive the diploma, and he agreed.”
Another source, who wished to remain anonymous, says they obtained a midwifery diploma by paying money. This source adds: “I started a four-year midwifery program at a private university during the Republic era, but after universities were closed to girls by the Taliban, my husband got me a diploma from a private university for 60,000 Afghanis.”
Another source also adds that a Bachelor of Medicine diploma can be obtained for one hundred thousand Afghanis. This source emphasizes: “I am a Bachelor of Medicine student, and one of my classmates, who left university after the seventh semester, got his diploma for 70,000 Afghanis; with the costs for signatures and document processing, it totaled 100,000 Afghanis for him. He now does practical work or an internship with me at the same hospital.”
Meanwhile, several citizens have described this trend as concerning, saying it calls into question the credibility of all educational institutions. They emphasize that the sale of academic credentials not only damages the reputation of educational institutions but also jeopardizes public health and the quality of services.
Rana Noorzai, a resident of Kabul, says this is a very dangerous issue that needs attention because the health system is the foundation of a country. She states: “Naturally, when one becomes aware of such issues, one loses trust in the health system. For example, if the health system had credibility, why would we need to go to Pakistan?”
The Taliban have repeatedly claimed to have eliminated corruption and bribery, but sources reveal widespread corruption in institutions under Taliban control and among members of the group in taking bribes. According to sources, the buying and selling of academic and medical credentials is not just a minor administrative corruption; it threatens patients’ lives, destroys the country’s educational and health credibility, and sidelines qualified individuals. The continuation of this trend will lead Afghanistan into a deep crisis of trust and weakness in its educational and treatment systems, which could have irreparable consequences for the country’s future.
Previously, sources had also confirmed to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that this group accepts bribes under names such as “gift” and “sweets” or by requesting valuable items. According to them, the Taliban issue national and international driver’s licenses without taking an exam, even in absentia, in exchange for money.
Sources have also stated that this group issues any official document, including marriage certificates, identity cards, death certificates, certificates of singleness, and divorce certificates, without the applicant’s presence and in exchange for money. Sources told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that they have even obtained permits for illegal construction by paying bribes to the Taliban. According to them, Taliban officials not only freely take bribes but, after receiving them, guarantee the safety of construction workers to prevent harassment from other members of their own fighters.
These findings are published as Transparency International last year ranked Afghanistan under Taliban rule among the most corrupt countries in the world. According to this report, Afghanistan is ranked 165th out of 180 countries.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
دیپلوم بدون تحصیل؛ فروش اسناد تحصیلی طبی و غیرطبی تحت کنترل طالبان
