Discuss Health Crisis In Afghanistan With Taliban Minister Of Health, Director General Of WHO: Urgent Needs Related To COVID-19

Illustration of Afghans. (Wikimedia Commons/Masoud Akbari)

JAKARTA - The Director General (Dirjen) of the World Health Organization (WHO) met the Taliban's Minister of Health (Menkes) to discuss the dire health and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

The meeting was held by the Director General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus with Minister Qalander Ebad, part of a Taliban delegation visiting Geneva, Switzerland for a week for talks with non-governmental agencies and organizations on humanitarian access and human rights, part of efforts by Afghanistan's new rulers to expand their international engagement.

Afghanistan has been plunged into financial turmoil since the Taliban took power on Aug. 15 last year, driving inflation and unemployment soaring, a halt in aid that has sparked a humanitarian crisis in a country that has been torn by decades of war.

"Despite some improvements since then, the health situation in Afghanistan remains dire and the acute humanitarian crisis continues to put lives at risk," said Dr Tedros, referring to his September meeting with Ebad last year in Kabul.

He further explained that in this meeting they discussed the country's health needs, strengthened the health system, emergency preparedness, and trained health workers, with a focus on female health workers.

"The acute need in Afghanistan is to provide diagnostics to detect the COVID-19 virus, particularly Omicron, as the number of cases continues to increase," said Dr. Tedros.

Illustration of Afghans. (Wikimedia Commons/Voice of America)

The Taliban delegation, representing what it calls the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is in Switzerland at the invitation of the Geneva Call, which works to protect civilians during the conflict.

The foundation is hosting a closed-door conference on Afghanistan from Monday to Friday, which aims to increase the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the country.

Dr. Tedros said WHO supports the COVID-19 response in Afghanistan, as well as the polio and measles immunization campaigns.

"We also discussed the progress of girls' education at all levels, including higher education and support for joining the health workforce," she said.

"WHO calls on the international community to continue dialogue in support of the Afghan people, so that we promote the health and well-being of all Afghans," said Dr. Tedros.

In addition, the Taliban delegation will also meet with other Swiss and European officials, as well as members of the Red Cross during the visit, with the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming their presence does not constitute an acknowledgment of the Swiss Government.

The Geneva-based medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it would also hold talks with the delegation.

"MSF has been in touch with the [Taliban] health ministry for several years in the context of our medical activities in Afghanistan. We will meet with them during their stay in Geneva to discuss their current medical needs and our plans," a spokesman for the agency told AFP. .