Administrative deputy PM Meets WHO delegation

Today, the administrative deputy prime minister, Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, held a meeting with Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi, the head of the Eastern Mediterranean region of the World Health Organization, and her delegation. Also present were Acting Minister of Public Health, Dr. Qalandar Ibad, and Dr. Mullah Abdul Wasi, the Chief of the Office of the Minister of State.

Following the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate, significant progress has been made in various areas, including drug control, combatting drug trafficking, rehabilitation of drug addicts, anti-corruption measures, and overall security in the country.

During the meeting, the administrative deputy prime minister reinstated Afghanistan’s membership in the executive board and leadership meetings of the Mediterranean region of the World Health Organization. He also advocated for international cooperation with Afghan farmers in the field of alternative livelihoods. The delegation requested support and highlighted the severe impact of recent devastating floods on a large number of Afghan citizens, expressing hope for cooperation from international organizations in addressing this issue.

The administrative deputy prime minister also mentioned the successful management of the forced deportation of over one million Afghan refugees by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi emphasized that eradicating polio is a top priority for the Islamic Emirate, and he expressed the need for establishing health clinics in remote areas, preventing child malnutrition, providing clean drinking water, activating laboratories, training specialists, and equipping hospitals and clinics with medical equipment. He called for international cooperation in these endeavors.

Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi, the head of the Eastern Mediterranean region of the World Health Organization, assured that health issues are non-political for the organization and are among its top priorities. She acknowledged the achievements of the Islamic Emirate in various fields and expressed hope for improved health and education services for Afghans. Dr. Balkhi mentioned a three-year project, in collaboration with other international organizations and the European Community, aimed at establishing health centers in different provinces of Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Dr. Balkhi expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Islamic Emirate in the fight against polio, emphasizing the importance of vaccinating all Afghans to combat the disease. She pledged to discuss the issue of providing alternative livelihoods to Afghan farmers with the World Health Organization and other relevant organizations.