Minister of Public Health Meets with WHO Regional Director and Gates Foundation President in Saudi Arabia

During his official visit to Saudi Arabia, Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, met with Dr. Hanan Al-Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, and Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Also attended by Pakistan’s Health Minister, the meeting focused on advancing Afghanistan’s health priorities, including disease prevention and control, strengthening surveillance systems, polio eradication reforms, and improving access to quality primary and secondary healthcare in remote areas. Commitments were made to broaden cooperation in the health sector.

The Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, emphasized the importance of strengthening the health sector, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases, enhancing the surveillance system, and implementing reforms to eradicate polio. He added that the Ministry of Public Health is committed to carrying out these reforms, and that joint efforts, technical cooperation, and sustained support are essential for further strengthening the health system and safeguarding public health.

Dr. Al-Balkhy and Mr. Elias pledged to deepen collaboration with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, stressing that close coordination and effective implementation of upcoming projects will accelerate progress and enhance health outcomes.