Construction Begins on WHO-Funded Health Center at Herat’s Islam Qala Border Crossing

Construction has commenced on a new infectious disease isolation center at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province. The project, valued at 8.4 million Afghanis, is funded by the World Health Organization and will be implemented through a joint agreement between the Ministry of Public Health and O.C.C.D.

Muhammad Yousuf Saeedi, spokesperson for the Herat provincial governor, announced the initiative, noting that the high volume of travelers and commercial traffic at the crossing necessitates enhanced health infrastructure. He stated that the facility is designed to monitor and control the spread of communicable diseases while expanding medical services at one of the country’s busiest transit points.

The center will serve as a dedicated space for screening, isolating, and managing potential outbreaks before they spread further into the region. Health officials have emphasized that border crossings remain critical checkpoints for public health surveillance, particularly given the constant movement of people and goods between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

Implementation of the project follows a formal coordination framework established by the health ministry and the implementing partner. Officials indicated that the facility will be staffed by trained medical personnel and equipped with necessary diagnostic and isolation resources. The completion timeline and specific operational protocols have not yet been publicly detailed, but authorities confirmed that groundwork has officially begun.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen border health security and improve access to preventive care in high-traffic transit zones.