Afghanistan’s Public Health Minister Meets WHO Director-General in India to Strengthen Health System and Polio Detection Efforts

Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, held a meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in India.

The talks focused on the provision of standard laboratory services for the detection of the poliovirus in Afghanistan, international support to strengthen the country’s health system, cooperation with and development of Afghanistan’s health sector through the identification of alternative sources, the participation of Afghan health officials in international health conferences and meetings, and the equipping of general hospitals being built in 318 districts across the country.

The Minister of Public Health described cooperation with the World Health Organization as essential for delivering standard health services. He said: “Together with the World Health Organization, we are committed to ensuring the provision of standard health services nationwide, establishing standard laboratories for polio detection, strengthening the country’s health system, and securing full support and cooperation for equipping the newly built general hospitals in 318 districts.”

For his part, the WHO Director-General assured full cooperation in the areas discussed. He said he emphasises the importance of strengthening health systems worldwide and confirmed that the World Health Organization will continue its support and cooperation with all member states to ensure equitable access to health services, prevent diseases, and further improve community health.