H.E Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, met this morning at Chahar Chinar Palace with Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director, accompanied by her delegation. The acting Minister of Public Health, Mawlavi Noor Jalal Jalali, was also in attendance.
Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi discussed the recent inauguration of a drug addiction treatment center in Balkh province, her inspections of various hospitals, and interactions with patients. She highlighted discussions with officials on the importance of combating preventable diseases through vaccination programs. Dr. Balkhi further stressed that WHO and its affiliated organizations would cooperate with the acting Minister of Public Health to formulate a structured, time-bound strategy aimed at drug prevention and addiction treatment.
Dr. Christopher Elias, President of Global Health at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, remarked on the increased prevalence of polio cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan over the past year. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to collaborating closely with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health to ensure the elimination of polio and to protect all children from contracting the disease.
H.E Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi expressed his appreciation for the delegation, underscoring the vital role of WHO’s initiatives in Afghanistan and advocating for strengthened coordination with the Ministry of Public Health. He conveyed gratitude for the organization’s contributions to vaccination campaigns and healthcare delivery. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Afghanistan’s resolve to vaccinate all children, eradicate polio, and preclude further occurrences of the disease.
The Deputy Prime Minister requested WHO’s assistance on several critical issues, including the reinstatement of Afghanistan’s membership in the organization, the facilitation of medical visas for patients, the treatment of drug addiction and infectious diseases, the establishment of a cancer treatment hospital, capacity-building initiatives for Afghan medical professionals, and the comprehensive activation and equipping of polio laboratories.
He also voiced grave concerns over the distribution of expired and substandard medicines and medical kits, emphasizing the detrimental impact on patient welfare and public trust in international institutions.
Dr. Hanan Hassan Balkhi assured His Excellency that the issue of Afghanistan’s membership in WHO had been raised with the organization’s leadership, and she was working to expedite its restoration. She further pledged to investigate the concerns regarding expired and substandard medical supplies.
