Afghan and Indian Officials Discuss Expanding Traditional Medicine Cooperation
During an official visit to India, a technical delegation from the Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Public Health visited the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR) in New Delhi. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration in the health sector, particularly in traditional and integrative medicine.
Senior officials and professors at HIMSR welcomed the delegation and provided detailed information about their academic programs, research activities, and healthcare services. The meetings explored opportunities for closer collaboration in traditional medicine, an area in which HIMSR holds international recognition and expertise.
HIMSR’s leadership expressed readiness to implement joint research projects, conduct quality testing, and standardize traditional medicines through its laboratories. They also offered knowledge exchange programs. Moreover, the institute committed to providing scholarships and specialized training for Afghan doctors and health personnel.
Simultaneously, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health delegation held separate meetings with several renowned Indian multinational companies active in Ayurveda and traditional medicine. According to the ministry’s press release, discussions focused on medicine supply, investment opportunities, and comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The participating companies pledged to provide standardized Ayurvedic medicines and related traditional medicine facilities to Afghanistan at affordable prices, aiming to deliver effective and safe medical services to the Afghan population. These companies also expressed interest in establishing health centers and expanding medical services within Afghanistan.
These meetings took place amid ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges faced by Afghanistan’s healthcare system. Approaches like traditional medicine have gained attention as culturally accepted and low-cost options. India has historically been an important partner for Afghanistan in health and education sectors.
Both sides emphasized that sustainable development of these collaborations could contribute to improving public health outcomes, standardizing traditional medical practices, and strengthening scientific and medical institutions in Afghanistan.
