Afghanistan and Uzbekistan Health Ministers Meet to Expand Medical Cooperation

Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, and Uzbekistan’s Health Minister, Asilbek Khudayarov, met in Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector. The meeting was attended by high-level officials, including the Balkh governor and Afghanistan’s deputy health minister.

During the discussions, both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration across multiple medical fields. Uzbekistan pledged to train Afghan doctors in its hospitals and assist in upgrading laboratory capacities. Officials also outlined plans to establish a specialized cancer diagnosis center and construct a 300-bed hospital in Balkh province.

The agenda further addressed the facilitation of medical visas for Afghan patients seeking treatment abroad and the importation of essential medicines. Specific health needs were highlighted, including the supply of clotting factors for hemophilia patients and the implementation of stricter quality control measures for pharmaceuticals. Both ministries expressed interest in encouraging Uzbek investment in Afghanistan’s domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

To ensure the execution of these initiatives, the two sides agreed to establish joint technical teams that will oversee implementation and coordinate ongoing projects. Uzbek officials reaffirmed their commitment to providing sustained, practical support to Afghanistan’s public health infrastructure. The meeting concluded with both parties emphasizing the importance of long-term regional health partnerships and the exchange of medical expertise.