Taliban Health Ministry Delegation in Turkey to Boost Medical Cooperation

DID Press: A high-level delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban-led Ministry of Public Health has traveled to Turkey to explore health cooperation and exchange medical expertise, amid the country’s most severe child food crisis in its history.

Abdulwali Haqqani, Deputy Minister of Public Health, leads the delegation, which includes the acting Minister of Public Health, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, the Director of International Relations and Aid Coordination, the Director of Planning and Policy, and the Head of Health and Treatment Services.

According to the Taliban Ministry of Public Health, the visit aims to inspect healthcare and research centers in Turkey, meet with government and medical officials, and acquire new expertise in the health sector.

The delegation also intends to establish avenues for closer cooperation and coordination between Afghanistan’s and Turkey’s healthcare systems.

This visit comes as Afghanistan faces an unprecedented child nutrition crisis. According to the UN World Food Programme, about one-quarter of the Afghan population (10 million people) suffers from severe food insecurity, and one in three children shows stunted physical growth.

The crisis is primarily due to insufficient nutrition and reduced global emergency aid over the past two years. An emergency budget of $539 million is needed to support vulnerable families.

The Taliban Ministry of Public Health stated that the trip is aimed at enhancing the capacity of Afghanistan’s healthcare system and benefiting from international expertise. During their stay, the delegation will meet with both government officials and private-sector representatives in Turkey.