Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia strengthen health cooperation to fight polio and drug abuse

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to expand cooperation in public health, with a focus on eradicating polio, combating drug abuse, and improving healthcare systems across Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health Noor Jalal Jalali met with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel during an official visit to Riyadh. Pakistan’s Health Minister also attended the high-level talks, underscoring regional coordination on pressing health challenges.

According to the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, discussions centered on the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases, strengthening public health partnerships, improving medicine quality, and ensuring the safety of imported pharmaceuticals.

The ministers also reviewed joint efforts to eliminate polio and address the growing threat of drug addiction, with additional support pledged by the Salman Foundation.

Jalali reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes through “joint programs, preventive initiatives, and stronger community-based services.”

The Saudi and Pakistani health ministers praised Afghanistan’s progress in combating infectious diseases and pledged continued assistance in key areas including immunization, health infrastructure development, and drug prevention programs.

Officials said the talks marked a new phase in trilateral health collaboration, aimed at strengthening regional public health resilience and safeguarding vulnerable populations across South and Central Asia.