OMM Redaksiyası
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to expand cooperation in healthcare. The agreement covers medicines, medical equipment and healthcare worker training.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Afghanistan’s Public Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali and Belarusian Health Minister Alexander Khodjayev in Minsk on Sept. 29. The meeting was held as part of the Afghan minister’s official visit to Belarus.
Key areas of cooperation
According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, the sides discussed medicine imports, the supply of medical equipment, professional training for healthcare workers, as well as research and information exchange.
Noor Jalal Jalali said Afghanistan was seeking to expand cooperation with various countries to strengthen its healthcare system and benefit from opportunities in professional expertise, medical equipment, medicines and healthcare services.
According to the Afghan side, Alexander Khodjayev expressed Belarus’ readiness to strengthen its partnership in these areas and exchange scientific expertise.
As part of the visit, the Afghan delegation is expected to visit medical, pharmaceutical, cardiology, oncology, public health and emergency medical facilities.
Financial challenges facing Afghanistan’s healthcare system
The talks with Belarus come as Afghanistan’s healthcare system faces financial and staffing challenges. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), 14.4 million people in Afghanistan will need healthcare in 2026.
The WHO says at least 422 primary healthcare facilities ceased operations in 2025 after funding was reduced. The situation is reported to have affected access to medical services for about 3.3 million people.
Kabul expands its pool of alternative suppliers
Afghanistan previously relied largely on Pakistan for medicine imports. However, Kabul has recently been expanding ties with alternative regional suppliers. Alongside Belarus, steps have also been taken to develop cooperation with India, Uzbekistan and Iran in this area.
On Sept. 17, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health signed a memorandum of understanding with an Indian pharmaceutical company to establish a facility for producing traditional medicines.
On May 29, the Afghan government signed a $5 million contract with five major Uzbek pharmaceutical companies. Iran has been delivering medicines and medical supplies by road to wholesale warehouses in Afghanistan since April.
