New Meeting Aims to Accelerate Polio Eradication in Afghanistan
Officials from the Ministry of Public Health and several international organizations held a joint meeting to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and enhance coordination for the complete eradication of the polio virus in Afghanistan. The meeting emphasized accelerating the vaccination campaign and expanding its coverage across the country.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Health, published by Bakhtar Agency, Qari Abdul Wali Siddiqi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry, Dr. Hanan Hasan Balkhi, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization, Mardaf bin Ali Al-Qashouti, Qatar’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, and several senior officials participated in the meeting.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health expressed gratitude for the cooperation of international partners, describing the meeting as crucial for strengthening the fight against polio and expanding health partnerships. He affirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing high-quality and equitable health services to citizens throughout all regions of the country and called on partner organizations to effectively fulfill their responsibilities toward polio eradication.
Following this, Abdul Quddus Baryali, Head of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, presented a report on the progress of the program, noting that efforts to completely eliminate the virus have accelerated. He also outlined proposals to improve the vaccination implementation process and enhance its effectiveness.
Ali Ahmad Saifi, Director of Mass Immunization at the Ministry of Public Health, announced strengthened vaccination efforts and wider coverage across Afghanistan, highlighting the critical role of public awareness campaigns in preventing polio outbreaks.
Afghanistan remains one of the few countries where the polio virus has not yet been completely eradicated. Continued insecurity, restricted access for health teams to certain areas, and structural challenges within the health system have hindered the fight against the disease in recent years. At the conclusion of the meeting, international partners emphasized ongoing collaboration and support for polio eradication programs and the strengthening of Afghanistan’s health system.
