Afghan and Uzbek Health Ministers Meet in Balkh to Boost Medical Collaboration
A joint meeting between the Taliban administration’s Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan and the Minister of Health of Uzbekistan was held in the Balkh provincial government office. The main focus of the meeting was expanding health cooperation, implementing joint projects, and strengthening medical capacities in Afghanistan.
During the meeting, Mawlavi Noor Jalal Jalali, the Taliban administration’s Minister of Public Health, expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s cooperation and emphasized the need to expand treatment for heart diseases, establish a cancer diagnostic center in Balkh, train specialists in radiology and nursing fields, equip district clinics, and import high-quality medicines. This comes amid ongoing complaints from residents across many provinces about the shortage of medical facilities and limited access to specialized services; a responsibility attributed to the Taliban administration.
Attending the meeting were Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy of Food and Medicine, Mulla Mohammadyousuf Wafa, Governor of Balkh, Rahmatullah Mansoor, Head of Public Health in Balkh, and several technical officials. From Uzbekistan, Asilbek Khodiyarov, Minister of Health, officials from the international cooperation department, and representatives from the country’s national medical center also participated.
The Governor of Balkh, referring to the religious and cultural ties between the two countries, said that due to decades of war, the health sector in Afghanistan has been largely neglected and now requires broader cooperation. He stressed the completion of the half-built health centers in Balkh, the establishment of a 300-bed state hospital, and facilitating visa arrangements for patients.
The Uzbek Minister of Health declared readiness to provide training opportunities for Afghan doctors in reputable hospitals in Uzbekistan, cooperate in enhancing laboratory capacities, and participate with the private sector in establishing clinics. He also promised to export high-quality medicines to Afghanistan at reasonable prices.
According to him, patients whose treatments are difficult to obtain domestically can be transferred to Uzbekistan for care, and the issues of the Balkh regional hospital will also be reviewed.
At the end of the meeting, both parties emphasized implementing the commitments made, and symbolic exchanges of handicraft gifts took place. However, citizens expect these talks to lead to tangible improvements in health services across various parts of the country.
