The Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, H.E. Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, convened a high-level meeting with a joint delegation comprising senior representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and regional leaders working in polio eradication.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Minister for Health Services Mawlawi Abdul Wali Haqqani; WHO Regional Director Dr. Hanan Balkhy; UNICEF Regional Director Sanjay Wijesekera; representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; UNICEF Afghanistan Country Representative Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale; and Dr. Hamid Reza Jafari, the Regional Director for Polio Eradication in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, along with several other key officials.
The discussions focused on the expansion of healthcare services, the strengthening of Afghanistan’s health system in critical areas, the promotion of transparency in healthcare delivery, and the implementation of service provision based on national priorities.
Furthermore, participants addressed the prevention of communicable diseases, the urgent need to eliminate polio, and the importance of fostering strong coordination between health stakeholders.
The meeting also emphasized prioritizing the engagement of Afghan scientific professionals and enhancing the capacity of healthcare and diagnostic personnel across the country.
During his remarks, Minister Jalali stressed that all international organizations must align their services with the newly formulated National Health Policy. He called for special attention to be given to policy compliance throughout service implementation.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to public health, Minister Jalali stated that alongside addressing other infectious diseases, the Ministry remains firmly dedicated to the eradication of polio.
He underscored the importance of effective vaccine administration and equitable access to primary healthcare. He assured the Ministry’s partners of full cooperation in the implementation of the polio vaccination campaign and encouraged even stronger coordination.
He urged that joint decisions be made to ensure improved outcomes and streamlined efforts.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, affirmed WHO’s ongoing support for the effective rollout of the polio vaccine, the expansion of treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders, and the professional development of Afghan healthcare workers. She also commended the Ministry of Public Health for its relentless efforts in combatting polio in Afghanistan.
Similarly, Dr. Chris Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board, remarked that the purpose of their visit was to identify practical and impactful solutions to eradicate polio. He reiterated their commitment to expanding and improving the quality of services to ensure that the poliovirus is eliminated in its entirety.