Taliban Health Minister Meets WHO and Gates Foundation Officials in Saudi Arabia
Maulavi Noor Jalaal Jalali, the acting Minister of Public Health for the Taliban administration, met with Dr. Hanan Balkhi, WHO Regional Director, and Chris Elias, head of the Global Development Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, during his visit to Saudi Arabia. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Health Minister and focused on various aspects of regional health cooperation and the state of Afghanistan’s healthcare system.
The talks primarily addressed enhancing preventive measures to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, improving surveillance systems, and implementing effective reforms to eradicate polio. Participants also highlighted the importance of expanding health services in remote areas and ensuring access to high-quality primary and secondary healthcare for residents in those regions.
Jalali emphasized the Taliban administration’s commitment to broad reforms in the health sector and its efforts to foster technical coordination and attract sustained international support. He stated that strengthening partnerships is crucial for improving Afghanistan’s healthcare capacity and the overall well-being of its population.
Representatives from the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, pledging to advance joint planning, effective implementation of health programs, and acceleration of health-related projects in Afghanistan.
