WHO expresses its thanks and praises to the Emirates for helping Afghanistan

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, paid a visit to Kabul hospitals, marking the organization’s first high-level visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control of the country. Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, the WHO’s director for the Eastern Mediterranean, accompanied the first African to lead the organization to meet Taliban leaders, health workers, and their own employees in the country, as well as tour a hospital. During Dr. Tedros’ visit, they also congratulated the UAE, Qatar, and Pakistan for their contributions to Afghanistan.

The two urged Afghanistan’s health system to stay neutral and conflict-free, and the WHO committed to continue its assistance in the country. Dr. Al Mandhari stated, “We must act immediately to protect Afghanistan’s health system, which is already vulnerable and has been severely impacted by recent insecurity.” The country, which was taken over by the Taliban barely over a month ago, is now experiencing monetary and medical supply shortages, as well as delays in the Covid-19 response and a decrease in vaccines for other diseases such as Polio.