The Acting Minister of Public Health and the Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have emphasized that the Islamic Emirate is paying close attention to the country’s health sector.
In separate meetings with Mickael Le Paih, the head of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan, the two officials of the Islamic Emirate urged for closer cooperation in advancing the health sector, improving health services for citizens, and enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers.
Zia Ahmad Takal, head of the public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “Mr. Le Paih expressed his gratitude for the cooperation from the Islamic Emirate, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and assured continued support in the areas of maternal and child health and the capacity building of health personnel.”
During these meetings, Le Paih emphasized the importance of improving and expanding health services in Afghanistan and reaffirmed that MSF will continue its support for the country’s health sector.
Afghan doctors consider the presence of organizations like MSF particularly beneficial and valuable for delivering health services, especially in remote areas.
Dr. Asadullah Halimi stated: “Whether among mothers and children or between men and women, non-communicable diseases appear everywhere and must be given special attention. Their projects should be expanded because deaths from non-communicable diseases have increased.”
Another doctor in Kabul, Tamimi Hakimi, added: “We need such organizations, whether foreign or domestic, whose staff are mostly Afghans. Polio and maternal and child mortality, which occur due to the lack of health personnel and supplies in remote provinces, are serious issues where we need help.”
Previously, the Ministry of Public Health had emphasized the goal of self-sufficiency in the country’s health sector and stated that efforts are ongoing to achieve this goal.