Officials of the Ministry of Public Health held a meeting with international health partners at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) for Polio Eradication

At the ceremony held for this purpose, attended by the Ministry of Public Health's Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration Affairs, Qari Abdul Wali Siddiqi, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the World Health Organization, senior WHO representatives, the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Afghanistan, Mirdif bin Ali Al-Qashouti, and a number of other officials, discussions focused on the progress and priorities in polio eradication efforts in Afghanistan, strengthening strategic and operational mechanisms, sustaining joint cooperation, and enhancing effective coordination.

Qari Abdul Wali Siddiqi welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation for their continued cooperation. He said, "In addition to strengthening the fight against the poliovirus, this meeting is of great importance for enhancing and expanding cooperation across all areas of the health sector.

The Deputy Minister further stated, We expect all our partners in the health sector to fulfill their responsibilities effectively. The Ministry of Public Health also remains committed to providing the people of Afghanistan with quality and equitable healthcare services across all areas of the health sector.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Qudus Baryalai, Director of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) for Polio Eradication of the MoPH, provided an update on the progress made in the fight against the poliovirus in Afghanistan. He said that the MoPH has intensified its efforts to completely eradicate the poliovirus from the country and presented a number of key recommendations to improve the implementation and effectiveness of vaccination campaigns.

Dr. Ali Ahmad Saifi, Head of the National Expanded Programme on Immunization (NEPI) of the MoPH, expressed confidence in the improved implementation and expanded coverage of polio vaccination across thecountry. He also described public awareness programmes as vital and effective in preventing the spread of the poliovirus.

The international partners expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the Ministry of Public Health and reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in the aforementioned areas.