Minister of Public Health participates in the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting

The Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, His Excellency Dr. Qalandar Ebad, accompanied by his delegation, convened in Qatar for an official visit to participate in the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting on the Polio Eradication Program, hosted in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The primary objective of this gathering was to engage in extensive discussions and consultations regarding the polio eradication efforts implemented in Afghanistan and Pakistan, spanning a duration of four days.

During the proceedings, His Excellency Dr Qalandar Ebad underscored the significant advancements achieved in enhancing access to polio vaccines throughout Afghanistan compared to previous periods. He emphasized that every region of the country now ensures unimpeded access to the vaccine for its populace. Additionally, he highlighted the crucial role played by over 70,000 frontline workers, including women, who actively participate in Afghanistan's polio eradication program.

His Excellency Dr. Qalandar Ebad further urged donors and aid agencies to intensify their collaboration in strengthening the aforementioned program and reinforcing Afghanistan's healthcare infrastructure.

It is of paramount importance to note that throughout the duration of this four-day assembly, representatives from esteemed organizations such as the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GAVI, and Rotary International, will meticulously scrutinize the recommendations stemming from the previous TAG meeting. Furthermore, they will assess the efficacy of the polio eradication endeavours in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Subsequently, they will deliberate and formulate new recommendations tailored to the prevailing circumstances and requirements.