Taliban’s Health Minister Stresses On Traditional Medicine Amidst Ban On Girls’ Education

Following the Taliban's order to ban girls' education in medical institutions, the Taliban's Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, stressed on the importance of traditional medicine.

During his visit to China, he called for the country's cooperation with the Taliban in the field of "traditional medicine”.

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Monday banned girls' education in medical institutes. Taliban officials have not provided any explanation for the move.

In the past three years, the Taliban has banned girls from studying above the sixth grade and attending universities.

The closure of medical institutions for girls has been met with sharp criticism from international organisations, and the Taliban has been asked to immediately lift the restrictions.

The European Union has warned that banning women's education in medical institutes is a "terrible violation" of human rights.

Coinciding with these restrictions, the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health announced on Wednesday, December 4, that Noor Jalal Jalali had traveled to China and delivered a speech at the International Conference on Traditional Medicine.

The Taliban's health minister said, "In Afghanistan, traditional medicine should be standardised and include a modern medicine section, and a standard curriculum should be prepared for those interested in it."

The statement said that the Department of Traditional Medicine has also been established in the organisation of the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health.

According to the statement, the department "works on improving and reforming the work of doctors, policies and guidelines in the department”.