The Regional Director of World Health Organization, Dr Hanan Balkhy, accompanying a delegation, called on IEA-Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Gates Foundation, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre, UNICEF, and the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Dr. Balkhy reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s health sector and described polio as a global public health concern. She called for continued support from the Islamic Emirate for nationwide polio vaccination campaigns aimed at eliminating the disease.
Welcoming continued cooperation with international health organisations, FM Muttaqi reiterated his full support polio vaccination campaigns.He also highlighted the need to strengthen Afghanistan’s public health system by improving healthcare infrastructure, establishing specialised cancer diagnosis & treatment centres, equipping medical facilities, and expanding the capacity of healthcare workers.
In the end, FM Muttaqi stressed that health, trade & humanitarian assistance should remain separate from political considerations to help ensure that international aid and health services reach those in need in effective and fair manner.
