Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Islamic Emirate's deputy prime minister for administrative affairs, in an online meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), discussed eradicating polio in Afghanistan and requested the organization's cooperation in the health sector.

The Arg in a statement said that the Hanafi had discussions with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, about the health system in Afghanistan.

Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, told TOLOnews: "They pledged that they would work in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to eradicate polio and other contagious diseases in Afghanistan."

At the same time, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization For the Eastern Mediterranean pledged the organization's cooperation in various sectors with Afghanistan. 
Hanan Balkhy, the regional director of the World Health Organization For the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasized that the World Health Organization's efforts to strengthen health centers in Afghanistan are ongoing.

"The system has been neglected and still needs more staff, and assistance is needed," Fawad Ebrahimi, a doctor, told TOLOnews.

"In remote provinces and districts, a mother who gives birth normally does not have access to basic health facilities. We request the World Health Organization to expand its goals in this area," said Maryam Tahouri, a doctor.

Although no positive cases of polio have been recorded in the country since the beginning of 2024, two positive cases of the disease were recorded in 2022, and six positive polio cases were recorded across the country in 2023.