Taliban Official Meets Representatives Of Int’l Groups To Solve Health Sector Problems

Even though medical educational institutions have been closed to girls, the Taliban's Minister of Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, met with representatives of international organisations.

During the meeting, they discussed the problems of Afghanistan's health sector, strengthening the health system and attracting international aid.

The meeting was attended by Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the head of the World Health Organization in Afghanistan; Hadia Samaha, the World Bank's Human Development Practice Lead for Afghanistan; Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, the head of UNFPA for Afghanistan, and UNICEF officials, the Taliban's Ministry of Health wrote in a statement on Monday, December 9.

The ministry did not release details about the agreements reached during the meeting, but the Taliban's health minister said that the group is working to solve the problems of Afghanistan's health sector.

The Taliban official's remarks come as the group, in addition to closing schools and universities to girls, has recently banned girls' education in medical institutions.

Doctors Without Borders warned last week that the Taliban's decision to ban women from studying in medical institutions threatens Afghanistan's health system and will have serious consequences for women's health. The Taliban's move is another step to exclude women from public and professional life, the organisation said.