Afghanistan Takes a Major Leap in Public Health: New $2M Mass Immunization Facility Inaugurated in Kabul
The Ministry of Public Health, under the governance of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has successfully commissioned a cutting-edge Mass Immunization facility in Kabul, with a total investment of two million dollars, the completion of which marks a significant leap forward in the country's healthcare infrastructure. The facility’s inauguration, which took place during a high-profile ceremony, symbolizes the government's unwavering commitment to enhancing public health services.
The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Public Health, His Excellency Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, Deputy Minister of Health Services Delivery, Mawlawi Abdul Wali Haqqani, alongside the Ministry's senior officials, representatives of international healthcare partners, and key stakeholders from the healthcare sector.
In his keynote address, His Excellency Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali expressed profound satisfaction, underscoring that the Ministry’s recent improvements in vaccination services have led to a significant increase in public access, which, in turn, has contributed to a notable reduction in child mortality rates. Had it not been for these improvements, the health indicators would not have shown such positive progress. Additionally, he emphasized that the Ministry is actively pursuing a broad agenda of reforms, which includes the construction of hospitals at the district level, a comprehensive review of BPHS and EPHS services, capacity-building initiatives for medical staff, and the upskilling of specialists across various disciplines. The ultimate objective, he stressed, is that every citizen, no matter how remote their location, should have seamless access to high-quality healthcare, which is paramount in improving the overall health outcomes of the nation.
Mawlawi Abdul Wali Haqqani, the Deputy Minister of Health Services Delivery, also echoed the sentiments of His Excellency Jalali, lauding the facility’s inauguration. This five-story building, constructed at a substantial cost, has been funded through the generous financial support of UNICEF and GAVI. He further added that the facility is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient delivery of healthcare services across the capital and beyond.
A representative from UNICEF, speaking at the event, elaborated on the organization’s broader commitment to healthcare in Afghanistan, noting that similar immunization centers have already been completed in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, with additional projects well underway in four other provinces. Once these facilities have been completed, they will be handed over to the Ministry, with the expectation that they will contribute to a significant expansion of immunization coverage across the nation.
